(670 The Score) White Sox ace Lucas Giolito made clear what the organization's goal is as it has transitioned from a promising up-and-coming team to a contender.
"We want to win a ring," Giolito said Tuesday, a day before pitchers and catchers were set to officially report to spring training. "We want to win a World Series. For that to happen, we definitely must improve in a lot of areas. With the player acquisitions and coaching acquisitions, we are already in a good spot. The AL Central is no slouch. The other teams have been adding some good players as well. We just need to stay focused every day, which means individually and as well as a group getting better. We had the first steps of that last year, but there is still so much room to grow."
The White Sox had a breakout 2020 season in going 35-25 before falling to the Athletics in the wild-card round. As they enter camp, they're full of confidence.
"The vibe here in camp is great," Giolito said. "I met some of the new guys on the team … I think we will go about our work very seriously and have a fun time because our clubhouse is fun. We will have some get-togethers and continue building the positive culture so we can build a winning culture and go deep into the playoffs."
While the White Sox added star closer Liam Hendriks, right-hander Lance Lynn and outfielder Adam Eaton, some of their biggest changes came on the coaching staff. The White Sox fired manager Rick Renteria after last season and replaced him with 76-year-old Tony La Russa, who has led teams to championships on three occasions. They also parted ways with longtime pitching coach Don Cooper and replaced him with the 37-year-old Ethan Katz, who coached Giolito back in high school.
"The relationship I have with Ethan is going back over 10 years now," Giolito said. "He knows me better than anyone else when it comes to my baseball skill, pitching, all that kind of stuff. Now during the regular season, I can go break down the start with him. He will give me all the intel and scouting reports on what will work best for me. That is very, very valuable. I am very thankful we have him aboard."
Giolito will headline a White Sox rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Lynn behind him. Dylan Cease, Reynaldo Lopez and Carlos Rodon will compete for the final two rotation spots, and 24-year-old Michael Kopech should factor in as well at some point in the season once he ramps up his workload after missing the past two seasons. White Sox starters had a 3.85 ERA in 2020, which ranked eighth in MLB. Giolito believes they can be better than that this time around.
"Our rotation can be one of, if not the best, in baseball," Giolito said. "In the back end of our rotation, we have a few options that I think are fantastic. I have been watching Cease, Lopez and Rodon work. Their stuff looks very, very good right now. I can tell all of them have put in the work. We just continue to grow from there. I am most excited about the work (Katz) is doing with the other guys."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
