If I were asked to describe my feelings on where the White Sox organization stands at this very moment, I’d offer one word: “meh”.
Make no mistake, the major league team is far more competitive than in 2024. In addition, several prospects are having stellar years in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Yet, looking at what the near-future (let’s say 2027) roster looks like, can anyone say with confidence that they love how it looks?
Still, Chris Getz had this to say earlier this week in his media availability when asked about free agent expenditures.
I understand the need for patience and the desire to allow ballplayers a proper development timeline. But let’s take a step back and examine where we are. Put simply, I see more question marks than exclamation points.
For starters, there’s not a single prospect in Triple-A right now projecting as a no-doubt, slam-dunk MLB star. Noah Schultz, MLB’s highest-rated lefty prospect, arguably fits that definition, but despite the superb talent, he’s having a shaky 2025 campaign amidst Brian Bannister’s purposeful tweaks.
Colson Montgomery has shown promise of late, but he has far from locked in a core Sox roster spot. Finally, you have Tim Elko and Brooks Baldwin channeling Barry Bonds when they don a Charlotte Knights uniform, but turning into prime Charlie Tilson the moment they’re called up.
Obviously, there’s still promise with those guys and several others in lower levels; Hagen Smith, Braden Montgomery, Caleb Bonemer, and Ryan Galanie, to name a few. But as we found out with the previous ill-fated rebuild, you simply can’t count on the entirety, or even the majority, of your prospect core to pan out in the big leagues.
That brings me to my ultimate point: Chris Getz cannot repeat the same mistakes of Rick Hahn in approaching free agency passively. Sure, he has a budget; we all know Jerry Reinsdorf has a limited pocketbook (Justin Ishbia, save us!). But the White Sox were top ten in MLB payroll in 2021 and 2022, so money was certainly spent.
However, it was largely allocated to talented but unproven prospects and bullpen arms instead of reliable free-agent centerpieces. Rick Hahn and Co. bet too heavily on the youngsters and skimped elsewhere. Seriously, Yasmani Grandal and Dallas Keuchel, signed in 2019, were the only two notable starting veterans acquired between then and 2023!
You might get lucky and the core pans out, but it’s not a serious way to build a contender. In turn, Getz should not be a bystander in the upcoming free agent market. He doesn’t have to pay stars! If any average-or-better starting piece is willing to ink a deal with the one-year-removed worst team of all time, you must pursue that.
If your best prospect at that position continues to perform well, then great! You have a good problem on your hands and can shuffle positioning or make a trade for big-league talent if necessary. Acquiring reliable production is always a good idea, regardless of whether it’s a $40 million contract or a $200 million splash.
Expecting fifteen of your current top thirty prospect list to nicely fill out your roster is ignorant at best. Getz will end up boasting a 76-86 ballclub in 2027 with Miguel Vargas becoming a free agent and four major holes in the lineup to fill because Jeral Perez somehow didn’t turn out to be Jose Altuve. Who’da thunk!
No one is asking for Jerry Reinsdorf to turn into Steve Cohen. We’re asking for more than two half-decent veteran signings and a $45 million mediocre bullpen this time around. White-Sox-brain may have already infected Getz after his years with the franchise, but we must pray that he learns from the pitfalls of his predecessors.
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Featured Image: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Just read this – good piece.
I agree with most of what you wrote. However, I still believe Getz is part the problem with this team as whole. He should have never been given the position from the start. While he has added a couple of meh to okay players…. It still not enough.
Justin Ishbia, is a non-factor. He has no seat on the board… and has no input/decision making authority currently. He won’t obtain that until, if and when Ebenezer Jerry takes that much needed dirt nap. I am not so sure, that when the curmudgeon Reinsdorf does depart, his sons pull a fast one and keep the team for the tax write off… or try to get others involved in an effort to drive up the selling price. Which I could see Ishbia, telling the Reinsdorf’s where to stick it. (hope I am wrong on that one)
Let’s be real… This team will lose 110 games plus in 2025. And Getz and the rest of inept buffoons at 35 & Shields, will proudly boast about the 5-10 game increase in the win column and claim progress. THAT IS NOT PROGRESS, THAT IS COMPLACENCY!
This organization still has the same problem they have had for the last several decades. They still do not know how to draft and develop positional talent. And, Getz is primary factory in that dept. He ran the supposed player development system that was and still is for the most part, an abject failure.
We need to face facts… Ebenezer Jerry will not spend money for even mediocre free agents in 2026, 2027 or even buy 2029. Free agency will not be considered until Ebenezer Reinsdorf and the rest of the cadre of buffoons that cater to his whims are jettisoned. Besides any free agent with even average hitting skills, will not come to the South Side unless over paid. We all know Ebenezer Jerry won’t do that.
With all the negative stories that have come out over the last couple of seasons about how team and Reinsdorf operate, any free agent worth his salt, will avoid the South Side like the plague (unless they are playing for the visiting team).
My gut also tells me this new rebuilt will also fail. Getz and Co are and will rely solely on the draft… And, with the current players that are projecting as their core… I do not see enough progress happening before these players get to expense for Ebenezer Jerry’s taste buds. So, what will probably happen, the players will walk in free agency and Sox will get nothing, like always. Remember, Jerry does not believe in the qualifying offer. So, we see will what happened with Cease and Crochet. They will be traded for unproven draft picks from other teams… thus perpetuating the continual rebuild cycle.