White Sox GM passes on opportunity to endorse Grifol

CHICAGO (AP) — With the White Sox on pace for another 100-loss season, general manager Chris Getz passed on an opportunity to provide a vote of confidence for manager Pedro Grifol on Tuesday.

Chicago entered its series opener against Houston with a major league-worst 19-54 record. It had dropped 24 of 29 going into the matchup with the Astros.

Asked about Grifol's performance and if he sees him managing the team for the rest of the season, Getz said he has regular conversations with Grifol and they are trying to put the team's players in the best position to be successful this year and in upcoming seasons.

“So there is a lot of work to be done, whether it be on our major league staff or with our front office to take steps forward,” Getz said. “So I know that naturally there’s a lot of speculation on who's going to be in what role in future years and really it’s about showing up each day and figuring out how to put our players in the best position possible.”

Grifol was hired in November 2022, and Getz was promoted to GM in August. Chicago went 61-101 in Grifol’s first year in charge for the franchise’s worst record since it went 56-106 in 1970.

The White Sox weren't expected to contend this year, but they lost 22 of their first 25 games. They rank among the majors' worst teams in several offensive categories, and their bullpen also has struggled.

The rough first half of the season has ramped up the speculation surrounding Grifol's job security.

“I think the team as a whole, although the record is not very good, I think the intent and the energy, playing for the White Sox and for each other, I sense a lot of positives in that,” Getz said. “Have there been inconsistencies, whether it be with fundamental breakdowns or the baserunning or defensive side? Yeah, that has popped up more than I would have liked.”

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