Pedro Grifol estimated he final attended the winter conferences in 2011.
More than a decade later, he’s again in a brand new position as a major-league supervisor.
“It’s a little different,” Grifol stated Tuesday on the Manchester Grand Hyatt. “I’m excited to see everybody. The welcome has been really good, the feedback has been really good. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Grifol continues to construct bonds with gamers after being launched because the Chicago White Sox supervisor greater than a month in the past.
“He’s already spent several hours face to face with several of our players,” basic supervisor Rick Hahn stated Monday. “He’s already constructed some relationships with them from the previous few weeks. It’s solely going to get stronger over the following a number of months.
“We had a lot go the wrong way last year, and that’s not on any one individual or the coaching staff’s doorstep by any stretch. One of the areas we think we’ve got an opportunity to be better is by having a fresh group in there and fresh perspectives. We think that’s going to serve us well over the long term.”
Grifol stated the conversations have centered on the long run.
“We really didn’t get into 2022,” he stated. “We simply talked about what we have to do in 2023. A high-energy spring coaching. It’s going to be high quality work, not amount work. Get them in, get them out, work laborious. Speed up the sport somewhat bit. Speed up the practices somewhat bit.
“And that’s what we’re going to focus on. We’re in the process of putting that together as a staff.”
At the identical time, the Sox proceed to place collectively their roster.
“It’s a work in progress right now,” Grifol stated. “We misplaced (first baseman José) Abreu clearly (to the Houston Astros), and we’re attempting to place a roster collectively that we really feel goes to have the ability to compete within the (American League) Central.
“(Starter Mike) Clevinger was a really good pick for us. It rounds up our rotation. Needs, per se, I think there’s versatility in this club, but we’re in the process of going through that. We want a fast-paced, athletic club. So when it comes to specific needs, I don’t think there’s one. We’re looking at just building a better roster.”
Grifol is keen to contribute any approach he can with regards to potential strikes.
“I just answer questions when (front-office officials) ask me,” he stated. “It’s a unique eye, completely different look from the skin coming in.
“I’m the manager. We’ve got a really good front office that knows what they’re doing and knows how to assemble clubs. I’m completely confident that, when it comes time, we’ll have a nice roster to work with.”
Grifol doesn’t have a look at the upcoming World Baseball Classic as a hurdle for a supervisor throughout his first spring coaching with a group.
“The reason I say that is because I’ve coordinated camps before during the WBC,” Grifol stated. “Most of the gamers that go to the WBC are on a regular basis gamers. Those guys are going to prepare, and so they’re going to go play actually good baseball.
“You’re giving other guys an opportunity to showcase themselves in spring training, and you never know, somebody might make a team or impress to a point where, (if) something happens during the year, we have a really good idea of what this particular player can do in the big leagues. So it’s really next man up while we watch those guys compete for something they love.”
Sox shortstop Tim Anderson beforehand was introduced as a member of Team USA. Center fielder Luis Robert and third baseman Yoán Moncada may play for Cuba.
Grifol sees potential advantages for gamers collaborating within the occasion.
“They’ve got to be ready to go,” he stated. “You’re speaking starting, center of March. That’s the massive stage. They’re enjoying for one thing that occurs each 4 years. This would be the first time, if it does occur, that (Robert and Moncada) can return and play for Team Cuba.
“They’re not taking that lightly. Their preparation right now is geared to, ‘I’ve got to be ready to go come beginning of March.’ They’ll just carry that right on to the beginning of the season for us.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com