White Sox plan to 'wait and see' about '24 plans

CHICAGO -- The phrase “wait and see” seemed to be the theme of Chris Getz’s 22-minute talk with the media prior to a 15-4 thrashing administered by the D-backs to open the White Sox the final six-game homestand.

Wait and see in regards to the $14 million option the team holds on shortstop Tim Anderson for 2024, including a $1 million buyout. Wait and see concerning the $15 million option for closer Liam Hendriks with a $15 million buyout to be paid in 10 installments, if executed. Wait and see for the makeup of the ‘24 White Sox rotation, despite Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech being the only sure bets as of now among those five.

And wait and see as to whether manager Pedro Grifol’s coaching staff will return. The White Sox have referred to the ‘24 campaign as a retooling process to compete in a subpar American League Central, but with numerous other roster questions to be answered aside from the aforementioned, the word rebuild nobody wants to use seems to be at least plausible.

“There are a lot of players on this team and a lot of pieces that can help a team win a division and have some success at the Major League level,” said Getz when asked if the team can compete for the postseason in ‘24. “However, what’s best for us in the short term and long term, that’s going to take kind of a deeper dive.

“For me, it’s coming in here and [figuring out] foundationally where are we with different departments so we can avoid these extreme swings. That’s been the focus and will remain [the focus]. As we move through October and November, we’ll start focusing more on what we need to do to put the best team forward for next year and years further.”

Anderson had one hit and scored one run, as the end of this uncharacteristic rough individual season winds to a close. He also committed error No. 15 during Arizona’s six-run fifth, when he failed to stay on second in trying to complete a double play off a Corbin Carroll grounder.

Moving off shortstop for Anderson doesn’t seem to be an option, not with this outlier bad year among a run of strong performances since 2019, although Getz briefly and generally addressed a move to second base when asked.

“TA’s very talented. He could probably play a lot of different places on the diamond,” Getz said. “You’ve seen flashes of his ability to drive a ball into the gap. You see his contact ability. Unfortunately, you just haven’t seen the consistency you have in the past. But there’s plenty of life left in his game that we feel like he can still be a productive Major League player.

“I know he’s been frustrated. There’s been some injuries along the way that have affected his lower half. Anyone that’s hit knows it starts from the ground up, and I think that’s probably affected him from time to time. But all in all, he’s been frustrated with the production, and we know he’s capable of doing more. It’s a matter of when and how it’s going to come out.”

Eloy Jiménez launched a three-run homer in the first Tuesday, and the White Sox (60-97) held a 4-1 lead in the second. Arizona (83-74) scored 14 unanswered runs against a less-than-intense looking South Side squad, which is never acceptable for Grifol.

“Early on it wasn’t at all. But once you get behind and the game kind of gets out of hand, that happens,” Grifol said. “You still have to respect the game and go out there and do your job. … That’s what’s expected.”

In deference to Getz, there’s really no reason to lay out the offseason plan or the specific internal talks at such an early date. There will be plenty of time to show the direction of the team and then talk about the direction of the team.

It will be Getz’s first foray into the moves made by a general manager.

“I’ve certainly been able to build relationships the last couple years, whether it be with other general managers or assistant general managers,” Getz said. “But being able to look into different ways to improve your club, I think anyone that is a sports fan would enjoy being in the seat for at least a period of time to potentially upgrade their roster. So speaking candidly, I’m pretty excited about that opportunity.”