White Sox GM takes responsibility for team's poor start: 'Put it on me'

The Chicago White Sox are off to a terrible start, and their general manager is taking responsibility for the team's performance.

"Put it on me. That's the job," Hahn said Thursday, according to The Athletic's James Fegan. "It sure as heck isn't on (manager) Pedro (Grifol)."

The White Sox enter Thursday with one of MLB's worst records (7-18) and winning percentages (.280). The Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics are the only teams playing poorer.

There isn't much going right for the South Siders early on. Chicago's offense ranks 24th in runs and 26th in fWAR, the rotation owns a combined 5.30 ERA, and the bullpen hasn't been good (6.09 ERA).

However, injuries have riddled the club, with Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, Joe Kelly, and Garrett Crochet all missing time. The White Sox also don't have Liam Hendriks available following the closer's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in January. Additionally, Jose Abreu departed in free agency after being one of the club's most productive players for almost a decade.

Chicago's lackluster start has its loyal fan base upset, and they've directed their feelings toward the club's front office.

"Where we're at right now is not acceptable," Hahn said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwen. "We're going to do everything in our power to get it right as long as we have the ability to get it right."

Chicago has failed to live up to lofty expectations over the previous three campaigns, missing the postseason last year after two early playoff exits in 2020 and 2021. The club owns a $183.8-million payroll this season.