Chicago White Sox: 5 things to hope for this season

Pedro Grifol’s management can’t cost the Chicago White Sox any wins.

The biggest addition the Chicago White Sox made was the hiring of Pedro Grifol to be the next manager.

Tony La Russa’s second go-around as Sox manager was a disaster. Yes, the Chicago White Sox won the AL Central in 2021 but they were bounced in four games in the ALDS. The Hall of Fame manager was supposed to lead the Sox to a World Series, not one playoff win.

Then last year’s 81-81 finish might have been the most disappointing season in team history. A few of the losses can be directly attributed to La Russa’s decisions. Health issues forced La Russa back into retirement. Now Pedro Grifol is the skipper.

The hope is that he does not make the same mistakes La Russa did. La Russa still managed the game like it was in 2011. Grifol will be tasked with managing the game as it is played in 2023.

That means trying to hit more home runs and not singles. It means using data given by the front office to put together a lineup that will maximize run production. It pretty much means not managing the way La Russa did.

Grifol has already been put in a tough spot as he navigates the team through the Mike Clevinger issue. He also must determine who should be the starting second baseman and the closer.

Grifol needs to get the team back to do simple things like running hard down the first baseline. He certainly has a challenge in front of him.

The Chicago White Sox return the bulk of the roster that finished .500 last season. So maybe having a manager who is not falling asleep during the game is what the team needs to get back to a winning record.

At least Grifol is not Tony La Russa and that alone is reason to have hope 2023 will be better than 2022.