The Chicago White Sox Need An Image Makeover

While it’s evident that the Chicago White Sox rebuild didn’t work out, the team’s issues were far worse than initially imagined. It isn’t all former manager Tony LaRussa’s fault for all the Sox problems. This season, the players have shown that they are to blame as well for the issues surrounding the culture of this team. The front office and coaching staff seem to have lost control of this team. I believe the White Sox organization needs to be gutted.

Former Player Speaks Out

Recently, former Sox and now Yankees reliever Keynan Middleton revealed just how bad things have become inside the clubhouse. He revealed that rookies were allegedly sleeping in the bullpen during the game and pitchers were missing fielding practice. Worst of all he said that players were getting away with no consequences and that it was a “no rules” culture. During an appearance on “Foul Territory”, former White Sox now Dodgers starter Lance Lynn essentially confirmed the allegations.

Naturally, general manager Rick Hahn, catcher Yasmani Grandal, and field boss Pedro Grifol all appeared at a press conference. During this media gathering, they all admitted that the culture needed to change but denied all of Middleton’s allegations. On top of that, Hahn went after Middleton directly and chastised him for being unprofessional. Considering how tumultuous the White Sox season has been, this current front office has no credibility.

Time To Clean House

Given all that has happened this season, Jerry Reinsdorf needs to clean out the whole baseball operation and hire new leadership. Rich Hahn’s rebuild has failed. While Chicago may have acquired talented players, aside from a couple of postseason appearances, the Sox didn’t go anywhere significant. Heck, they didn’t even win a playoff series. Watching Tim Anderson (another underperformer) fall to the ground after Jose Ramirez punched him probably best sums up this era of White Sox baseball.

Have Someone Else Lead The Rebuild

The White Sox have somewhat begun the process of rebuilding. During the trade deadline, they shipped out many players for various prospects. However, the current regime does not deserve the opportunity to rebuild this franchise again. With all the dysfunction that has happened this season, Rick Hahn doesn’t deserve another opportunity to build this team again. Hahn should’ve been let go after last season.

Being A Manager Is Too Much For Pedro Grifol

While it’s never ideal to let a manager go after just one season, this situation is one of the exceptions. Pedro Grifol has shown that he is in over his head when it comes to being a big-league manager. Despite being with the Kansas City Royals for nine years, I’m starting to see why he was passed over for managerial jobs. From on-field mistakes to apparently lacking control of the clubhouse, too much has happened this season for him to be able to use the “rookie manager” card.

Big Changes Need To Happen

The White Sox have become one big dysfunctional mess both in the clubhouse and on the field. The mess that the organization has become is so bad yet very fascinating and perhaps entertaining at times. This franchise needs to click the reset button and bring in a fresh baseball operation staff. Prior to hiring Pedro Grifol, the White Sox had been notorious for being insular with their baseball operation hires. Given that the Sox haven’t won anything of significance since 2005, it perhaps is time to change their hiring practices. Given how rock-bottom bad the Sox have been all year, blowing up the entire baseball is necessary.  

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