Da Windy City
Fansided

6 Chicago White Sox storylines to follow this offseason

By Todd Welter

Sep 9, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7), left fielder Andrew Benintendi (23) and relief pitcher Michael Kopech (34) watch a home run hit by Detroit Tigers third baseman Matt Vierling (8) in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7), left fielder Andrew Benintendi (23) and relief pitcher Michael Kopech (34) watch a home run hit by Detroit Tigers third baseman Matt Vierling (8) in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago White Sox enter this offseason foolishly thinking they can turn things around fast after losing 101 games this year. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf believes freshly promoted Chris Getz can quickly re-open the team’s contention window.

It is why he refused to interview any external candidates for the vacant general manager position. Refusing to go outside of the organization is also why it was the worst GM search in the history of the Chicago White Sox.

Getz may turn out to be a good general manager someday, but there is no way he is capable of constructing a roster that can jump from 61 wins to say, 88 wins.

Chris Getz and the Chicago White Sox seem to be in trouble this off-season.

First, the basic math means the Sox have to improve by a minimum of 27 wins to overcome the Minnesota Twins in the standings. The Twins won the AL Central this year with 87 victories and a +119-run differential. The Sox had a -200-run differential.

Second, the Moneyball math according to Sox Machine Podcast co-host Josh Nelson seems insurmountable for the Chicago White Sox to overcome. According to Nelson’s calculations, the Chicago White Sox need to score at least 775 runs next year to be a contender. That means the offense has to improve by 134 runs.

They can only allow up to 729 runs. The pitching and defense gave up 841 runs in 2023. Finally, Nelson pointed out that for the Chicago White Sox to get back to their 2021 production they need to add players whose WAR add up to somewhere between 35-37.

Good luck doing that when the owner has ruled out pursuing Shohei Ohtani in the offseason. That was a clear signal that Getz will not be given a blank check to spend the money needed to improve the roster to the levels it needs to be a contender in a weak AL Central.

There is nothing in the farm system that is going to add more than 134 runs while taking 112 runs off the scoreboard. Only spending in free agency and making some big trades can do that.

Since the self-imposed spending restrictions are a big reason the Sox are in this mess, do not hold your breath that Reinsdorf will hand Getz an unlimited budget.

Hey, there is nothing wrong with Getz trying. As he tries, there are six storylines to watch this offseason:

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