White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said Thursday that he fired his top executives midseason so new general manager Chris Getz would have as much time as possible to get started.
The rub is that the final month of this miserable season will go on Getz’s career record, starting with a 4-2 loss to the division-rival Tigers on Friday night.
Facing a Sox team with nine rookies on the roster, Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez (10-7) peacefully threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
Ahead of the game, Getz spoke to the Sox’ clubhouse, projecting optimism and outlining expectations from the organization.
“When you bring in a new GM, you’re playing for your spot,” outfielder Gavin Sheets said. “You want to show to him what you can do and why you need to be a part of this rebuild.”
“Rebuild” isn’t a term Sox decision-makers are using. But when it’s the beginning of September, the playoffs are out of the question and fans are unfurling a “JERRY REINSDORF MUST GO” banner behind home plate as the final out of the game is being recorded, it’s easy to get confused.
Moncada wants to stay
Third baseman Yoan Moncada, who’s suffering through a second straight season marked by injury and underperformance, called 2023 a year where “nothing went our way.” But he’s hoping to be back next year for his seventh season in a Sox uniform.
“If they want me here, of course I want to be here,” he said through an interpreter.
“No doubt about it. I’ve been with this organization for a very long time now, and it feels like home to me.”
Moncada’s wishes may not be much of a factor. He’s under contract for $24 million next season, the last guaranteed year of the extension he signed in the spring of 2020. While his talent still tantalizes, he has hit for an OPS under .700 since the 2021 All-Star break, over a span of nearly 1,000 plate appearances. That combination of contract and performance renders him largely immovable via trade.
Crochet delay?
A month ago, 2020 first-round pick Garrett Crochet said he hoped to recover from a strained left shoulder in time to pitch again this season.
But as September begins, manager Pedro Grifol isn’t so sure it will be in the majors.
“I expect him to pitch this season,” Grifol said. “Not sure where. He’s still in the rehab process.”
Crochet has expressed hope he could start transitioning toward a starter role next year, but between rehab for Tommy John surgery and his latest injury, he has been limited to 10 major-league innings this season.
September call-ups
The Sox called up infielder Jose Rodriguez and pitcher Luis Patino as they expanded their active roster to 28. But after a trade-deadline sell-off that already is ushering in a youth movement across the roster, Rodriguez and Patino are behind other prospects in the playing-time pecking order.
Grifol expressed skepticism about how long Rodriguez, called up from Double-A Birmingham for the second time this season, will be with the team. Patino, a former top prospect acquired from the Rays at the deadline after prolonged struggles, is a big-time project. The 23-year-old right-hander walked 13 in 14 ⅓ innings at Triple-A Charlotte after being acquired.
