The Chicago White Sox have a lot of issues to fix

Chicago White Sox fans are upset at the team’s 7-19 record, especially given the high expectations of a bounce-back year after an 81-81 record in 2022, and are understandably calling for major changes. The problem is, major changes are hard in April.

It’s worth noting the Sox are dealing with injuries to key players like Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada. Closer Liam Hendriks has also been dealing with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

It’s also worth noting that the Sox have had a very tough schedule thus far, including two series against a red-hot Rays team to bookend this week.

And it is early so it is not impossible for this team to claw out of this hole and make the playoffs, especially in a division as weak as the American League Central.

That said, the anger directed at the White Sox is understandable. But it’s hard to see what can change other than waiting for injured players to return.

The Chicago White Sox are in a tough spot to begin the 2023 season.

It seems too early to fire first-year manager Pedro Grifol. And it would be unfair unless there is some sort of behind-the-scenes problem we don’t know about. Grifol has just barely started his managerial career.

It also seems too early to make a roster-shaking trade as most teams will want to wait to deal until later in the season. It’s not impossible to make a trade to improve the roster or send a message but it’s unlikely to happen at this point in the year.

Finally, we come to general manager Rick Hahn. Hahn is taking a lot of criticism for constructing this roster.

This author generally agrees with that criticism. It’s Hahn who put together an underperforming bullpen, Hahn who didn’t add depth to the roster in case of injury, and Hahn who selected young prospects that are currently underachieving.

All that said, even if firing Hahn is the right move, it’s not going to happen in April or early May. At the very least, it’s highly unlikely. Moves like that typically happen at season’s end.

It’s not very satisfying to know that change isn’t likely coming soon. Yet, it’s the reality. The only thing the Sox can do, at least in the near term, is play better. Anything has to be better than this.