These seven teams are making the Chicago White Sox look bad
By Todd Welter
The Chicago White Sox continue to not do much in the offseason to upgrade a roster that was probably the most disappointing team in baseball last season.
General manager Rick Hahn so far has hired Pedro Grifol to manage the club and added pitcher Mike Clevinger to the starting rotation. Otherwise, it feels like Hahn has spent more time working on updating his Christmas wish list (and checking it twice) than updating the roster to retake the AL Central.
The Chicago White Sox have needs in left field, second base, and catcher. The Southsiders could use a left-handed starting pitcher and some left-handed power hitters. They probably should get a veteran in right field.
Although, it appears the club’s second-best prospect, Oscar Colas, could be the starter in right field. The White Sox need more power from the left side of the plate and Colas provides that.
Just do not expect Rick Hahn to dive deep into the free-agent pool to address the Sox’ needs. Hahn has already shopped in the bargain-bin section for a starting pitcher when he added Clevinger. It appears with self-imposed payroll restrictions, Hahn will have to go down the trade route to address any needs.
The problem is the trade market has been slow-moving.
One ramification of the free agent frenzy: The trade market is dead (at least for today). Teams obviously would rather spend $ than give up players. Good sign for the health of baseball.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2022
That is right folks, teams are using a logical approach to write checks to upgrade their roster instead of giving up players to get better.
Spending this offseason is what the Chicago White Sox should be doing.
In a perfect world, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf wakes up and realizes the only way he is getting another World Series ring before he dies is to open up his wallet. He allows Hahn to go out and bring back pitcher Carlos Rodon. He authorizes Hahn to sign Aaron Judge along with Trea Turner to massive deals (because you can move Tim Anderson to second base considering the free-agent market at that position is not great).
He is okay with Hahn designating Yasmani Grandal and Joe Kelly for assignment while bringing back Jose Abreu.
Instead, Reinsdorf fears the luxury tax more than making any changes in the front office so that dream scenario never happened.
Abreu is now with the Houston Astros and the White Sox sat out the winter meetings’ spending spree.
Rick Hahn's plan is hoping there's so many free agent signings this week that it will open up opportunities with teams that miss out on their targets wanting to trade with the White Sox.
— Josh Nelson - Sox Machine (@soxmachine_josh) December 6, 2022
That's pretty passive.
In reality, Jerry Reinsdorf is forcing Rick Hahn to attack a pivotal offseason with one hand tied behind his back. Although, Hahn has shown he is not going to march into Jerry’s office and make demands. There is no greater evidence when Hahn went along with Reinsdorf hiring Tony La Russa back in 2020 when Hahn reportedly wanted to hire AJ Hinch.
Most general managers would quit if any owner forced such a bad idea to happen. Hahn acted like a hostage and two seasons during a contention window have now been wasted.
Hahn now hopes for the teams to miss out on Dansby Swanson or Carlos Rodon and come calling in hopes to acquire Tim Anderson or Lucas Giolito.
The Chicago White Sox offseason has been frustrating to the Southside faithful. While patience can be a virtue, the Sox have had to watch seven teams make moves to improve their playoff chances.
It has been frustrating to see these teams get better while the Sox appear stuck in neutral.