Pedro Grifol needs the Chicago White Sox to turn into a well-rounded workforce.
The supervisor noticed what didn’t work in 2023 and the numerous steps wanted to maneuver ahead.
“One of the things I learned last year is that we played a game that doesn’t win in the big leagues,” Grifol mentioned Monday. “We must play sooner. We should be extra athletic. We’ve received to catch a baseball. We should do issues a bit higher essentially.
“When we talk about getting more rounded, that’s what it’s about. Being able to bring in Nicky Lopez (in a trade) and (sign free agent) Paul DeJong and what those guys can do defensively, and obviously, we’re not done. It’s the type of game that wins games at the major-league level. You have to play fundamental baseball to be able to compete at that level, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Those discussions about getting the very best matches continued on the MLB winter conferences.
The Sox are aiming for a “retool” after going 61-101 in 2023. Other groups have expressed curiosity in offers for Sox gamers, placing the group in a “great spot” to make a transfer if the best time presents itself, Grifol mentioned.
“We have some players that are really talented, and we’re not going to just move them to move them,” Grifol mentioned. “It has to make sense. These guys have confirmed it on the major-league degree, and if it is sensible for us, I feel (normal supervisor) Chris (Getz) and his workers will pull the set off. If it doesn’t, then we’ll anticipate the best time.
“But being able to have those players as a part of our organization and have those options is something that we’re always exploring to make us better. Not just make us better now for ’24, but make us better for ‘24 and beyond.”
Grifol doesn’t suppose the commerce discuss will catch any Sox participant abruptly.
“Chris set the tone early,” Grifol mentioned. “He mentioned ‘Everybody is available,’ proper, appropriately with all people. That’s simply the way in which the sport is.
“If there’s an opportunity to make an organization better, you always have to look into it, but these guys are White Sox right now, and they’re talented. My job and our staff’s job is to get that talent to perform on the field and execute.”
Getz mentioned the Sox have talked to brokers and to different groups in an effort to construct their roster and depth.
“I would say it’s pretty equal,” Getz mentioned Monday.
The Sox have gone each the commerce route and thru free company early this offseason. They acquired 5 gamers, together with Lopez, in a deal that despatched reliever Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves. And DeJong signed his one-year, $1.75 million contract final week.
DeJong mentioned he not too long ago had a great discuss with Grifol.
“He seems like he has the right idea as far as where he wants to take this team, playing more fundamental baseball,” DeJong mentioned throughout a video convention name final week. “I feel we’ve got a fantastic core of men.
“He expected me to have some defensive stability for him and some sort of veteran leadership as far as kind of taking care of the young guys, being able to communicate certain things about the game and analyzing certain plays and being able to just really be a leader on the field.”
Grifol mentioned DeJong gives “consistency.”
“I like what he brings to the table every single day,” Grifol mentioned. “You get a shortstop on the market that’s going to be essentially sound, and he’s going to guide. The similar factor, having the ability to purchase Nicky. Nicky can play above-average second base and transfer over to shortstop and provides Paul a day. Obviously don’t neglect about (minor leaguer) Colson Montgomery, who’s knocking on the door.
“The offseason is early, it’s early still. So Chris and his staff are exploring everything to make us better.”
However the roster shapes up, Grifol is raring to discover methods to get probably the most out of the group.
“We’re going to be playing different because we’re going to be playing a faster game, so obviously I’ll be managing a different style of game, an aggressive game,” Grifol mentioned.
“I’ve reflected a ton. There’s things that I feel I could have done better, and I will be better. There’s things that I feel our staff could have done better, and we will be better. Definitely there’s things that our team could have done better, and we will be better. So I’m excited for spring training. I’m looking forward to the team that joins us in Camelback (Ranch). You’ll see a difference.”
Sox slotted to choose No. 5 following draft lottery
The White Sox landed at No. 5 in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball draft lottery.
The franchise entered the day with the fourth-best probability (14.7%) for the highest choose, which went to the Cleveland Guardians. The Sox final had a top-5 choose in 2019, once they chosen first baseman Andrew Vaughn at No. 3.
The draft might be held in July.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com