SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (670 The Score) – White Sox general manager Chris Getz was blunt in assessing his club Tuesday at the GM Meetings.
“We’ve got a talented group, there’s no question,” Getz said. “I don’t like our team. And we’ve got to make some adjustments so we improve for 2024.”
Getz then elaborated further.
“When I say I don’t like our team, we’ve got pieces that are talented and are attractive, and they can be part of a winning club,” Getz said. “But obviously, we haven’t been able to go out there and perform. It’s not a well-rounded club right now. So we’ve got find players to come in here to help get us in the right direction. And if that means that we use some of the players we have on our club to multiply and not only help us in the near term but also in the long term as well, (we’ll do it). It’s going to take time this offseason to build out this roster.”
It appears the days of coddling players are over for the White Sox under the leadership of Getz, who was elevated to their lead executive position in late August following the firing of longtime executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn. Getz wants to improve the talent, fundamentals and clubhouse culture of the White Sox after they lost 101 games in 2023.
“It's a piece-by-piece situation,” Getz said. "I do believe we have to become more athletic. That would be to improve defense, I hope, and running the bases while taking extra bases and those things. We are looking for players that understand what it means and takes to be on a winning ball club. That starts with their approach to the game and being in the right place at the right time. They need to be a group that go out there and are always competing.”
As he looks to rebuild the White Sox, Getz characterized his meetings with opposing executives as “good conversations” to create a starting point for potential moves. And this much is clear for the Getz-led White Sox – no one should feel comfortable with their standing.
“There are no untouchables,” Getz said emphatically. “Whether it's the players, staff and anyone else, they need to know where we are at moving forward. We need to establish the identity of what the White Sox are all about. I feel like we have lacked that. We are set out to do that right now. The ultimate goal for our players is to go beyond where the expectations are at. That is when you know you will have a strong culture. This all starts with the infrastructure. When the players are in the right environment, they will feed off what we are providing each other. It really starts with myself and my staff. We must set the tone of what we will be.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.