The White Sox’s new general manager has been mostly tight-lipped about his offseason plans. After losing 101 games with a team that was supposed to compete for the AL Central title under the old regime, Chris Getz and the White Sox are at a bit of a crossroads.
The team will be entering year four with a core of players who were once top prospects. So far they only have two playoff wins to show for it. Reviving this team back into a contender will be a massive project for Getz. The starting rotation needs three starters, the bullpen was gutted at the trade deadline and the perennial search for a second baseman and right fielder continues.
However, if the White Sox decide to tear things down to the studs they will be wasting the prime years of Luis Robert Jr. and will likely still be paying for the likes of Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi.
MLB.com’s Scott Merkin recently shared what he has been hearing about the direction Chris Getz would like to take the team. During a recent MLB.com article, Merkin wrote:
From what I can discern, a rebuild is considered a total teardown of the roster last undertaken by then general manager Rick Hahn and executive vice president Ken Williams during the 2016 offseason. It began with the trade of Chris Sale to Boston.
Via Scott Merkin MLB.com’s Five questions for the White Sox to address this offseason
That direction doesn’t appear to be favored by general manager Chris Getz. The White Sox are focused on retooling with a solid talent base still in place, but they could take a slight step back in 2024 to better the future while holding out hope for competing in the AL Central. Playing in the AL Central can be viewed as a bit of a crutch for Chicago, but it always gives the club hope.
If the club does decide to go in the retool direction as Merkin suggests there are still some major questions that need to be answered. Will they pick up Tim Anderson’s club option? Will Mike Clevinger opt out of his mutual option? Does the team try and trade Dylan Cease before his contract year in the hopes of bettering the future?
Anderson’s option will be the first domino in revealing what the White Sox’s intentions are for 2024. If his option is picked up it signals that they are likely trying to contend. The rumors that the team was interested in Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield also support Merkin’s report.
However, the front office is putting way too much emphasis on playing in a weak division. The AL Central will not be nearly as bad as it was in 2023. The Twins proved that they have a potent offense and will be looking to build off their Wild Card round victory.
The Cleveland Guardians are in the process of interviewing Craig Counsell as their next manager after Terry Francona stepped down, so they figure to be a threat once again. Even the Detroit Tigers showed signs of improvement last season, winning 78 games and finishing second in the AL Central.
The White Sox need to stop using the AL Central as the sole reason they think they can compete next season, especially after getting dominated by division rivals throughout the 2023 season.
