Getz 2025 Grade: your vote matters.

[wegner]

23 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Only risk with Monty I see is the back, which is a scary risk as we've already seen it crush his performance, but if he's healthy hes a star.

You better not be putting the Crede curse on Colson, pal.

[Bob Sacamano]

D. Colson, Teel, Quero, Shane Smith mostly keeping it away from an F. This team needs to add SP and a power bat or two before we're talking contention. With a lockout looming, I feel like Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Jonathan Cannon are yet again locks for the OD rotation next year.

[southsider2k5]

I am going to go with D- between that and an F.

Yes there was "progress" in that we weren't the on going answer to any trivia questions for the history of Major League Baseball this season, but a couple of things stand out about that "progress".   If you took this season in isolation, it is an easy F.  They lost the third most games in franchise history, and were the 2nd worst team in Major League Baseball.  I can give a few points for starting from the literal worst ever, and at least improving on it.

Some of us spent last season, and the first half of this season talking about how we needed to get some of these in between guys some playing time to find out what we had in them, and quit wasting time on absolute trash washed up utility players.  It FINALLY seemed to happen a couple of months into this season, and lo and behold, some of those guys actually had some talent. 

Lenyn Sosa, who was buried multiple times, for just flaming dumpster fire's of players over the last year and half, finally forced his way into the line up, and became the Sox most consistent hitter over the course of the season.  Much like his MiLB career, he needed PAs to adjust, and he did.

Again, outside pitching took us a large leap forward, while the internal candidates mostly floundered or preformed as well as could be expected.  The Schultz/HSmith/GTaylor crowd was all very disappointing from a group you are looking for all star starters from.

Position players from trades and from the previous regime also seemed to take nice steps forward.  Seeing guys like Brooks and Chase push themselves on to the roster is a good thing.

The Catching crew is a real bright spot going forward.

Miguel Vargas, despite THE SWING CHANGE (don't know if you guys heard about that) ended up having a pretty pedestrian season, even including his blazing hot streak.  Dude put up a 100 OPS+ after all of that fire.

We seem to have some hitting doing some things at the lowest levels of the minors, such as Caleb Boennmer, and even into the mid minors in the case of the BMontgomery.

Colson had the weirdest season I can recall, but seeing him have a huge period of success is a plus and shows he has a real ceiling in the majors.  You just have got to keep him healthy and away from whatever seems to drag him down at various points of the season.

The inability to really get much of anything at the deadline, again, was also a disappointment, especially since they seemed to be determined to repeat those mistakes in some cases, again.

[77 Hitmen]

I give him zero points and may God have mercy on this soul.

Seriously though, I voted "D", but it was between D+ and C- to me.   Some successes, but not nearly enough to turn this team into a winner anytime in the foreseeable future.   He didn't do enough at the trade deadline to help this team long-term.  The whole Robert thing is puzzling and we'll have to see how that plays out this offseason.  

Crochet is so talented and valuable that even Getz couldn't screw up trading him.  So, I'm not chalking up getting Teel to Getz's "genius". 

[Rocky]

The postseason is beginning, and the White Sox are not in it. 

F.

 

[Rusty_Kuntz]

If it's based just on how the MLB club did, D/D-. A very bad year redeemed only some sporadic but much improved play over the last 2.5 months. This, though, takes into account lots of things that aren't under Getz's control. 

If it's on how his changes/decisions affected the organization, I'd say better. Shane Smith, Meidroth, Vargas, Teel, Vasil, Tauchman, Perez, Houser were all solid to good at the MLB level. Bonemer looks like a really good pick right now. Antonacci, Bergolla, Montgomery, and several others looked good as well in MiLB. Obvious Hagen was up and down and that is a major piece that needs to work out. But not a flop yet, at all.  I'd give him a C+ in that regard. 

[chitownsportsfan]

Alright, some morning thoughts:

Why a C? Well mostly because I think he was straighjacketed financially and had orders to add zero payroll. This is just a reality of working for JR and I have to account for it in any grade. Given those constraints he found a decent middle of the rotation starter (Smith) off the rule 5 heap, brought in some useful (for once) vets like Taylor and Tauchman and completed the Crochet trade where it appears he found a couple solid regulars one way or another.

I also will give him credit for how they handled Colson. Whatever they did in AZ helped him and then obviously they called him up at the perfect time and played him for the most part at SS. That was well handled and it appears if he stays healthy they have star at SS.

The rest of it obviously added up to another 100+ but given the roster constraints I don't see how he was going to avoid it. Maybe he could have spent 40 million AAV and won 66-72 games and set the club up better for 2026 but that's just not possible with JR. In some ways I am grading on a curve because the owner sucks balls. It is what it is. Most GMs are going to have a hard time fielding a competitive team given a JR at owner.

I wanted folks to try and remove as much context as possible but it's a fool's errand. I have no problem with the folks giving failing grades because Getz had a large hand in creating the situation both working for Hahn and with his horrible work last year. That said, given where the club was in spring I do think there are enough positives to give a passing C for 2025.

[bmags]

bummer how just small things could change everything.

Imagine had we drafted Konnor Griffin, putting us with the #1 overall prospect, a likely #1 overall pick targeting one of the top college SS in years, and Colson having just shown the power that can survive at 3b.

I'd be feeling pretty cool about that offense in just 2 years. But instead it's Colson, a wild card pitcher, and hopefully Roch.

[southsider2k5]

13 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

 

I wanted folks to try and remove as much context as possible but it's a fool's errand. I have no problem with the folks giving failing grades because Getz had a large hand in creating the situation both working for Hahn and with his horrible work last year. That said, given where the club was in spring I do think there are enough positives to give a passing C for 2025.

See I am the opposite.  If I remove all context, this is a 102 loss team, a team that has lost the 2nd most games in MLB history over the last 2 and last 3 seasons, and the 2nd worst team in baseball.  With no context, this is about the easiest F you will ever give.

[fathom]

Worst thing he did all season was the deadline.  That was a disaster.  

[WestEddy]

I gave a B. 

The assignment was don't set the loss record, again, and they didn't. Traded Crochet for a good haul. Learned from the previous season's mistakes. Backed up Robert for the inevitable injuries. Didn't force trades on other teams' terms. I was told this pitching rotation would be worse than last years' and it was quite adequate. Filled RF, C, 2B, SS. I liked the glut of infielders so they could weather an injury or two without tapping into the Vinny Capras or Jacob Amayas of the organization after the All-Star break. 

.430 winning pct after the break. That's a 70 win clip. I would expect a bullpen cleanup, and maybe creating a glut of outfielders like they did with the IF could goose the win total into the upper 70s. Continued growth from the 2nd year players could push them up around .500.

[TheBooneLoganEra]

8 minutes ago, fathom said:

Worst thing he did all season was the deadline.  That was a disaster.  

I see your deadline disaster and raise you one josh rojas.

[wegner]

24 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Alright, some morning thoughts:

Why a C? Well mostly because I think he was straighjacketed financially and had orders to add zero payroll. This is just a reality of working for JR and I have to account for it in any grade. Given those constraints he found a decent middle of the rotation starter (Smith) off the rule 5 heap, brought in some useful (for once) vets like Taylor and Tauchman and completed the Crochet trade where it appears he found a couple solid regulars one way or another.

I also will give him credit for how they handled Colson. Whatever they did in AZ helped him and then obviously they called him up at the perfect time and played him for the most part at SS. That was well handled and it appears if he stays healthy they have star at SS.

The rest of it obviously added up to another 100+ but given the roster constraints I don't see how he was going to avoid it. Maybe he could have spent 40 million AAV and won 66-72 games and set the club up better for 2026 but that's just not possible with JR. In some ways I am grading on a curve because the owner sucks balls. It is what it is. Most GMs are going to have a hard time fielding a competitive team given a JR at owner.

I wanted folks to try and remove as much context as possible but it's a fool's errand. I have no problem with the folks giving failing grades because Getz had a large hand in creating the situation both working for Hahn and with his horrible work last year. That said, given where the club was in spring I do think there are enough positives to give a passing C for 2025.

I am going to disagree with you there a bit....on a 102 loss team, veterans who you do not or cannot flip at the deadline are not really that helpful. I really do not buy that veteran presence bullshit for the most part. Play the yungins.

[chitownsportsfan]

2 minutes ago, wegner said:

I am going to disagree with you there a bit....on a 102 loss team, veterans who you do not or cannot flip at the deadline are not really that helpful. I really do not buy that veteran presence bullshit for the most part. Play the yungins.

I got joy as a fan watching Mike perform all year. So that factors into my grade. He made every play he could on his old legs in RF and hit the hell out of the ball for the most part as our leadoff guy. That's the sort of thing that matters to me even in a losing year. 

[wegner]

4 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

I got joy as a fan watching Mike perform all year. So that factors into my grade. He made every play he could on his old legs in RF and hit the hell out of the ball for the most part as our leadoff guy. That's the sort of thing that matters to me even in a losing year. 

From an entertainment standpoint, I understand your argument. Tauchman is an easy guy to root for. 

[WestEddy]

37 minutes ago, wegner said:

I really do not buy that veteran presence bullshit for the most part.

I think veteran presence on a team is very important. Athletes across all sports talk about the importance of veteran leadership. I feel this would be like discounting stretching, or fundamentals, or wearing mitts on the field. Veteran leadership holds the clubhouse together, enforces good habits - all in a game that is 95% mental. If young guys get into the habit of stinkin' thinkin', it doesn't matter what their bat speed is. 

[Tnetennba]

4 hours ago, Quin said:

This is perfectly said.

Eloy mashed as a rookie. Let's see where things go before declaring the current crop of young guys a surefire thing.

This is where I am too. Some of these kids look like they belong, but is that and or will that be sustainable? And does that translate to winning more games than they lose? Big fat TBD. 

2025 was not devoid of positives, but on the whole they still lost 102, which earns an F. Even with some kids showing promise in the 2nd half, they weren’t playing >.500 baseball. They have a long way to go, and they are still being run by an incompetent boob working for one of the worst owners in the sport. Good luck getting over that hurdle. 

Edited September 29 by Tnetennba

[T R U]

The Sox went 60-102, that's an awful season. I voted D only because the majority of the young players looked promising, but it could EASILY be an F.

Sorry, but the bar isn't set at "Don't be the worst team of all time again." 

[wegner]

13 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I think veteran presence on a team is very important. Athletes across all sports talk about the importance of veteran leadership. I feel this would be like discounting stretching, or fundamentals, or wearing mitts on the field. Veteran leadership holds the clubhouse together, enforces good habits - all in a game that is 95% mental. If young guys get into the habit of stinkin' thinkin', it doesn't matter what their bat speed is. 

I understand that veterans can be helpful to younger players....apparently David Wells was a good mentor for Mark Buehrle for example. 

They still lost 102 games so I think veteran presence in this scenario is way overrated.

[caulfield12]

24 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I think veteran presence on a team is very important. Athletes across all sports talk about the importance of veteran leadership. I feel this would be like discounting stretching, or fundamentals, or wearing mitts on the field. Veteran leadership holds the clubhouse together, enforces good habits - all in a game that is 95% mental. If young guys get into the habit of stinkin' thinkin', it doesn't matter what their bat speed is. 

Robert had the best bat speed on the team.

Where did that get him?

Whereas someone like Luis Arraez is bottom 5-10% in the majors, but makes consistent contact.

Colson obviously has the biggest overall swing "impact"...but those strikeout rates were alarming.  That said, you can live with it if he can play an adequate SS and stay healthy.

Teel looked like their best hitter the last 6-8 weeks...he seems like a real keeper.

[WestEddy]

2 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Robert had the best bat speed on the team.

Where did that get him?

Whereas someone like Luis Arraez is bottom 5-10% in the majors, but makes consistent contact.

Colson obviously has the biggest overall swing "impact"...but those strikeout rates were alarming.  That said, you can live with it if he can play an adequate SS and stay healthy.

Teel looked like their best hitter the last 6-8 weeks...he seems like a real keeper.

None of this has anything to do with what you're referencing. 

[caulfield12]

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?teamid=4&lg=&__cf_chl_tk=owc7ySSgDl0fSeYfUuq2dikVQ9x56G.QlrBCmA9xPUA-1759172019-1.0.1.1-rOsKsHkQWC0lrBjNoS.0y8deJsMtqnE1zZ7JgVIgDbs

Sox fWAR standings

Baldwin Quero Mead being in negative territory the biggest concerns.

About what you'd expect with Montgomery Smith and Teel leading.

Sosa Vargas Meidroth all in that 1-1.5 range or zone where the obvious flaws in their games are holding them back.

 

Top Ten guys like Houser Tauchman M.Perez obviously can't be counted on to repeat.

[Rocky]

1 hour ago, WestEddy said:

I gave a B. 

The assignment was don't set the loss record, again, and they didn't. Traded Crochet for a good haul. Learned from the previous season's mistakes. Backed up Robert for the inevitable injuries. Didn't force trades on other teams' terms. I was told this pitching rotation would be worse than last years' and it was quite adequate. Filled RF, C, 2B, SS. I liked the glut of infielders so they could weather an injury or two without tapping into the Vinny Capras or Jacob Amayas of the organization after the All-Star break. 

.430 winning pct after the break. That's a 70 win clip. I would expect a bullpen cleanup, and maybe creating a glut of outfielders like they did with the IF could goose the win total into the upper 70s. Continued growth from the 2nd year players could push them up around .500.

A record that had stood since the 1960s was finally broken last season — that alone shows how unlikely it was to happen in back-to-back years. The fact that the bar has now been set at simply not breaking an all-time loss record is unacceptable for a franchise in the third-largest market.

This isn’t about “progress” or “holding steady.” When an organization performs so poorly that it posts the second-worst record in all of baseball, that’s not a sign of competence. It’s failure. To suggest otherwise only lowers expectations to an embarrassingly low level.

The reality is this: an F is the only grade that fits. The standard for a team like the White Sox should never be “don’t embarrass yourselves again.” It should be competing respectably. Until the front office demands more, the results on the field won’t change.

Edited September 29 by Rocky

[caulfield12]

7 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

None of this has anything to do with what you're referencing. 

Robert is now one of our supposed veteran leaders and has the best bat speed on the team, him or Colson...someone earlier in the thread cited bat speed as a reason for believing in a player, but that's just ONE indicator of possessing physical tools and not strength of approach.

If we only went by that indicator, Elly de la Cruz and ONeil Cruz would be the two best players in baseball every single year.

 

[WestEddy]

3 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Robert is now one of our supposed veteran leaders and has the best bat speed on the team, him or Colson...someone earlier in the thread cited bat speed as a reason for believing in a player, but that's just ONE indicator of possessing physical tools and not strength of approach.

If we only went by that indicator, Elly de la Cruz and ONeil Cruz would be the two best players in baseball every single year.

 

I'm not sure why you do this, Holden. Here, I'll clarify for you. If younger players get untracked by getting too in their own heads, or worrying about clubhouse politics, or whatnot, their skills won't matter. They need to remain focused on their responsibilities in order to perform and veterans around the clubhouse help set the example. Robert is a veteran, but I wouldn't call him a veteran leader. You only seem to be making my point for me. Robert needs veteran leadership (like Abreu provided) and his skills won't carry him if he's too in his own head.