On Thursday afternoon, Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf spoke with the media for about 30 minutes prior to the introductory press conference for the team’s new Senior Vice President and General Manager, Chris Getz. He outlined his plan for 2024, the process that led to choosing to promote Getz rather than interview external candidates, and more.
Reinsdorf argues that an external hire (he later implied that he did not interview external candidates) would be burdensome because he/she would need about a year to evaluate the organization and determine the changes that would need to be made. This answer is a perfect example of the disconnect between Reinsdorf and fans. As a fan, the prospect of an external candidate thoroughly reviewing every aspect of the organization to uncover exactly what needs to be improved sounds fantastic.
Of course, in an ideal world, this process would take far less than a year. But given that the 2024 White Sox have only one objectively good everyday player on the roster as of now, the chances of the team seriously contending in the short-term are extremely small regardless. Taking what is likely to be another poor season and using it to audit the organization would actually be a very productive use of time, especially given the alternatives.
The above is not exactly a ringing endorsement of Chris Getz. While Reinsdorf essentially cornered himself into hiring an internal candidate due to his disdain for a full, outside review of the organization, he did not need to immediately resort to Getz. A structured interview process, even if only internal candidates were being considered, would have at least given the organization more information before making such a massive decision.
Overall, the primary issue with Reinsdorf’s demand for the team to compete in 2024 is that it is borderline impossible. With the amount of question marks on the roster, even considering the prospects currently at AA Birmingham that could feasibly contribute in 2024, competing next year would require free agent expenditures that exceed anything the White Sox have ever carried out.
The upcoming free agent class is not very impressive outside of a few top-tier players. If the White Sox were to sign Shohei Ohtani, the team would still not even be a true contender (Ohtani and Robert Jr. would basically be the new Ohtani and Trout, with the same lack of postseason appearances). But there is no need to worry about that — Reinsdorf went out of his way to inform fans that Ohtani or other pitchers seeking long-term deals will not be considered.
As a result, Reinsdorf’s plan to compete in 2024 is even less achievable. Even in the American League Central, a ~100-loss team does not magically become a playoff contender in one year without several major additions, positive regression from existing players, injury luck, etc. — all things that the 2024 White Sox probably will not have. Even if the team rushes players like Colson Montgomery, Edgar Quero, and Cristian Mena to the MLB roster, Reinsdorf’s self-imposed restrictions will prevent the team from adding the ~30 wins it will need to make the playoffs.
Earlier in the season, Rick Hahn spoke about 2024 as a contending year even if the 2023 team failed. Whether it was blind optimism or a concrete plan, it never felt like something that would actually happen given how the season was trending. Now, the proclamations from Reinsdorf and Getz are even more ridiculous. Teams as abysmal as the 2023 White Sox do not become contenders overnight, and if nearly a dozen significant (and as a result, expensive) players are not brought in this winter, the 2024 team will suffer the same fate.
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Featured Photo: © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The above shows how oblivious Reinsdorf is to the issues plaguing the White Sox! Someone inside the organization is going to clean up the mess that this organization created? Saying that someone from the outside would need time to assess the current situation is exactly the point! The point is that it will take time to get to the root of the White Sox’ problems and find solutions! An outsider would have a more objective, unbiased view of the situation! Of course, that is not the Reinsdorf way! Going over the front office to hire La Russa proved that! People who thought that Reinsdorf would learn from that have been proven dead wrong!
Spot on Nik….. A Reinsdorf does not change its spots… and his words today absolutely show it.
August 31st, 2023: the day White Sox baseball offically died.
White Sox baseball has been dying since the 2021 All Star Break! Barely .500 after a 54-35 start, and we know how it has been since!
The culture of the Sox from the clubhouse to the Front Office is messed up. Reality is every decision is based on being cheap and that we think we are smarter. This idea we always find these Cuban diamonds in the rough and then pay to get control for an extra year or 2 is fools gold. Giving a 22 year old 35 million and then thinking they will be motivated to win is a joke. I think the clubhouse is a complete disaster and starting every discussion on who we hire by asking “do they speak Spanish” needs to end.
Until the Sox learn how to develop young talent, nothing will ever change. How many “next great thing” players have they had that haven’t panned out? Moncada, Robert, Jimenez, Kopech, Avisail Garcia, the list goes on and on. Tim Anderson is just barely above serviceable. The last player that came up and did decently well was Konerko, and he didnt start in our farm system. Before that? Frank Thomas maybe?
Were all these players acquired through the help wanted ads? One thing is certain-the Sox do need help! Would it be possible for the Sox to get players who come with a guarantee or a warranty?
Will points bet give odds on it?