GLENDALE, Ariz. — No team wants to the turn the page on 2024 more than the Chicago White Sox. After setting a modern-day record for losses (121) in a single season, the organization is hoping to take huge steps in a rebuilding plan that began late in 2023.
“I do think we’re going to win more games than we did last year,” GM Chris Getz said as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training on Tuesday. “Unfortunately, there are going to be some growing pains along the way that at times are going to challenge your emotions, but that’s part of the development of some of these players.”
The White Sox boast six players in ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel’s top 100 prospects. Acquiring them over the past few years — for players such as Dylan Cease, Erick Fedde, Lance Lynn and others — hurt the team’s big league chances, leading to that headline-making 41-win year. But the organization’s hope is those dark days give way to brighter ones as the prospects, many of whom are on the mound, make it to the major leagues.
“To have a spring training where a top ranked farm system is represented well in major league camps, it’s going to be enjoyable to see some of these younger players get some major league experience,” Getz said. “Going through a year like we did in 2024, most importantly, it just provided a lot of clarity for a lot of people, including myself. We had a lot of work to do, a lot more changes that needed to be made and we were able to accomplish a lot of that this off season and that started with hiring Will Venable.”
Chicago’s new manager comes highly decorated, having worked in Boston, in Chicago and most recently with the Rangers under Bruce Bochy. He’ll be tasked with bringing along a young group of highly touted pitchers such as lefties Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith to go with shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery. Another pitcher, lefty prospect Ky Bush, will undergo Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, according to Getz, but that isn’t dampening his optimism for his young group.
“We need to be patient and it’s hard to do in professional sports because we’ve got so many competitors out there on the field on a daily basis, but I do think there’s going to be plenty of exciting stories, and a lot of that has to do with the talent that’s going to work their way to the major leagues this season,” Getz stated. “I would say the majority of our roster has to earn their opportunities.”
The White Sox likely aren’t done dealing away talent, as center fielder Luis Robert Jr., outfielder Andrew Benintendi and first baseman Andrew Vaughn could be moved this year. All need to perform in the first half of the season if Getz wants to continue to load up on young talent. His hope is the struggles and lessons of 2024 will make the successes in the future feel that much better, while the organization is simply hoping to make positive headlines despite staring at another potential 100-loss season.
“Going through a year like we did last year, there was a lot to learn, a lot of painful moments that you had to endure that I think is only going to make us stronger,” Getz said.
In other developments Tuesday, the White Sox agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million deal with outfielder Michael Taylor, a source told ESPN, confirming news first reported by FanSided.
