Chicago White Sox News: Chris Getz expected to be named General Manager

The Chicago White Sox were hoping to have their new front office structure in place before the end of the season and it would appear that the team had the hires already in motion.

On Tuesday, the White Sox announced the firings of both Rick Hahn as general manager and Kenny Williams as executive vice president. Included in the White Sox press release was the idea that the team would have a singular baseball voice at the top of their baseball operation.

It would appear that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has already identified that voice.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Wednesday that Chris Getz, who currently oversees the player development for the team, is expected to be named the team’s general manager.

"Chris Getz, 39, who spent the past seven years overseeing the White Sox minor league operations and player development after a seven-year playing career, is expected to be named the next White Sox GM.-USA Today"

This was the fear and a worst-case scenario for the White Sox.

Chicago White Sox take a step backward with the promotion of Chris Getz to general manager.

The White Sox were in desperate need of a new face at the top of their baseball operation and while it may be unfair, Getz is going to have the stench of failure on him when he takes over as the team’s general manager.

Ironically, player development is a large part of the reason why the White Sox rebuild has failed. Outside of the breakout season from White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr., the team and its core of players have struggled to continue their development since reaching the Major League level.

While the White Sox’s farm system has jumped up the prospect rankings in the second half of the season, that is largely due to the prospects that the team acquired from outside of the organization and not due to the development of the prospects that they have already had in-house.

Interestingly enough, there will be an additional voice added to the White Sox’s front office outside of the promotion of Getz. Nightengale’s report also mentions that Dayton Moore is expected to join the White Sox’s front office in some capacity.

The news is likely good news for manager Pedro Grifol as well. With Getz now serving as the team’s general manager, Grifol likely is in a stronger position to return for a second season as the team’s manager.