CHICAGO (AP) – With the White Sox on pace for another 100-loss season, general manager Chris Getz passed on an opportunity to provide a vote of confidence for manager Pedro Grifol on Tuesday.
Chicago has the majors’ worst record at 20-54 after a 2-0 victory over Houston in the opener of a three-game series. The White Sox had lost 24 of 29 going into the matchup with the Astros.
Asked about Grifol’s performance and if he sees him managing the team for the rest of the season, Getz said he has regular conversations with Grifol and they are trying to put the team’s players in the best position to be successful this year and in upcoming seasons.
“So there is a lot of work to be done, whether it be on our major league staff or with our front office to take steps forward,” Getz stated. “So I know that naturally there´s a lot of speculation on who’s going to be in what role in future years and really it´s about showing up each day and figuring out how to put our players in the best position possible.”
August saw Getz elevated to general manager, and November 2022 saw the hiring of Grifol. In Grifol’s debut season as manager, Chicago finished 61-101, their lowest record since 56-106 in 1970.
The White Sox lost 22 of their first 25 games this season, despite not being predicted to compete.
In a number of offensive metrics, they rank among the weakest clubs in the majors, and their bullpen has also had trouble.
The rumours about Grifol’s job security have intensified due to the difficult first half of the season.
Before Tuesday night’s victory over Houston, Getz stated, “I think the team as a whole, although the record is not very good, I think the intent and the energy, playing for the White Sox and for each other, I sense a lot of positives in that.” “Have there been any irregularities, either in the defensive or baserunning aspects or in the fundamentals? Yes, it has come up more often than I would have preferred.
The White Sox are one of the few clubs that are out of the playoff picture enough to be known as sellers before the July 30 trade deadline. Paul DeJong, the shortstop, outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and pitchers Garrett Crochet, Erick Fedde, and Michael Kopech are all possible trade candidates.
Getz claimed that calls from opposing clubs have been “peppered regularly” lately and that they have increased.
“I would say there are a handful of conversations being had on a daily basis,” he stated. “I´ve already had some today and I would expect probably a couple more before the end of today.”
Among the best pitchers available is crochet. Friday is the left-hander’s 25th birthday. He is currently 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA going into his start against the Astros on Wednesday night.
A blockbuster transaction that could aid the team near the deadline saw Chicago send ace right-hander Dylan Cease to San Diego in March.
“Being that Dylan was an attractive player to so many different organisations, I do believe it gave us a head start in regards to knowing organisations, whether that applies to Garrett or anyone else,” Getz stated. “Having such a valuable player like Dylan in my first offseason as a general manager has allowed me to build relationships with other general managers and get to know other organisations.”
Eloy Jiménez, the designated hitter, is very close to making a comeback after missing time due to a strained left hamstring while Getz mulls his trade possibilities. Jiménez is currently in the Arizona Complex League on a rehab assignment.
Jiménez might make a comeback next week, according to Getz, while Yoán Moncada, the infielder, might return around the All-Star break.
“Those two players are certainly big pieces of this organisation, our major league club, and it does look like Eloy is not too far off,” Getz stated.
Be the first to comment