Chicago White Sox: Chris Getz gives frank assessment, more from GM meetings

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — General manager Chris Getz gave a frank assessment of the Chicago White Sox in the aftermath of a 101-loss season.

“We have a talented group, there is no question,” Getz said Tuesday during the MLB general managers meetings at a resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz. “I don’t like our team, and we have to make some adjustments to improve in 2024.

[ [Don’t miss] Why did Chicago White Sox decline Tim Anderson’s 2024 club option — and what’s next for the team at shortstop? ]

“When I say ‘I don’t like our team,’ we’ve got pieces that are talented and attractive and they can be part of a winning club, but obviously we haven’t gone out there and performed. It’s not a well-rounded club right now and so we’ve got to find players to come in here and help get us in the right direction.”

Manager Pedro Grifol echoed Getz’s sentiments during a video conference call Tuesday.

“When we talk about team, it’s not about one guy or two or five, it’s about 26 guys really loving to play with each other when that bell rings, and we didn’t have that,” Grifol said. “It’s our responsibility, and my responsibility, once we put the roster together, to make sure that chemistry is where it needs to be every time we step on the field.”

Getz reiterated a point he made at his introductory news conference as the team’s new GM on Aug. 31, saying there weren’t any untouchables.

“If we feel like we can multiply or strengthen our group both presently and in the future, then we’re going to look at that,” Getz said.

There’s plenty of building to do. The Sox have questions at second base, shortstop, right field, catching and on the mound with their rotation and bullpen.

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz speaks during MLB’s general manager meetings on Nov. 7, 2023, in Arizona. (Matt York/AP)

“We’re looking for players that understand what it takes to be on a winning ballclub,” Getz said. “That starts with their approach on a day-to-day basis, being in the right place at the right time, on the field and more or less being baseball players going out there and working together, competing.”

Here are three Sox takeaways from the GM meetings.

Oscar Colas of the Chicago White Sox misses a catch against the Minnesota Twins on July 22, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

The Sox were tied for 10th in the American League with 95 errors and tied for 11th in the league with a .983 fielding percentage.

This offseason, Getz said, the team is “set out to really improve our defensive play, which will allow our pitchers to attack the zone and be more efficient.”

The Sox are aiming for steady defenders who have a knack for “making plays you are supposed to make,” Getz said.

“We made too many (defensive) mistakes through the years,” Getz said. “When certain plays aren’t being made, it’s a traumatic feeling for a team, it’s a traumatic feeling for pitchers.

“I really want to just settle back down so pitchers are comfortable attacking the zone and outs are made where they are supposed to be made.”

Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks and former player Jim Thome pose as Hendriks receives the team nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 15, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

The Sox decided to decline shortstop Tim Anderson’s club option for 2024 on Saturday. The day before, they took the same route with closer Liam Hendriks.

The reliever’s deal included a $15 million buyout that would be paid in 10 equal installments from 2024-33.

Hendriks appeared in five games in 2023 after an inspirational return from battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery in August, with 12 to 14 months as the initial timeline for coming back.

“That conversation was a heavy one, because of what he’s meant to this game, not only the White Sox,” Getz said. “But you talk about an open book, Liam is very much an open book and very easy to talk to, and he understood where we were coming from.

“And just like (Anderson), if there’s a situation that makes sense for both of us, we’d certainly welcome Liam back, as well.”

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa at Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 12, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Could the third baseman could see time at that position again?

“I think he is capable of playing different positions,” Getz said. “I think he’s a better third baseman than second baseman. That doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be perhaps games he goes over to second or plays first base and perhaps even the outfield. We’ll do what’s best for our club.”

While Moncada has never played first, Getz said, “He’s a very good athlete. And if that means we need to have Yoán be more versatile to help our lineup on a nightly basis, you do that.”

“That type of experience is invaluable, not only in the team-building aspect with so many little pieces that go into a major league club, there is going to be mentoring with some of our minor-league coaches and our players as well,” Getz said. “He’s an asset, I’m going to take advantage of him.”

“We’re going to certainly attack things a little more strongly on the pitching front,” Getz said. “There are different ways to allocate international bonus money. We had a meeting last week with (special assistant to the general manager, international operations) Marco (Paddy) and everyone else in our front office and we’re putting together a strategy for the White Sox moving forward. But you can expect a different approach.”