SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Manager Pedro Grifol said he has no message for White Sox fans.
See for yourself, Grifol said Sunday before the Sox’ last Cactus League game.
Four days before the Tigers come to Guaranteed Rate Field for Opening Day, Grifol knows expectations aren’t high for a rebuilding team coming off 101 losses. He believes the Sox will be better with a different culture and a greater emphasis on defense.
We’ll have to see for ourselves.
“I don’t have a message to fans,” Grifol said. “I don’t think they want one. They want to see us go out and play. And I say that because if I’m a fan, I don’t want to hear it. I want to see it.”
General manager Chris Getz likes what he has seen this spring from a completely revamped rotation. Garrett Crochet (2.13 ERA), Michael Soroka (1.38), Erick Fedde (3.86), Chris Flexen (2.00) and Nick Nastrini (3.77) put up good numbers.
Fedde, who starts the third game of the season against the Tigers on Sunday, tossed five innings of one-run ball against the Rockies on Sunday.
He allowed two hits, walked one, struck out four and induced six ground-ball outs, which is his forte.
“I feel like we’re in a good position on the pitching front,” Getz said.
And a bullpen with Michael Kopech, Jordan Leasure, John Brebbia, Steven Wilson, Deivi Garcia and left-hander Tim Hill doesn’t look awful with Kopech excelling since he moved there three outings ago and Leasure — who is expected to make the team — displaying quality back-end stuff.
“I feel very encouraged with the bullpen, as well,” Getz said. “Everyone who has watched [Kopech’s] transition has seen him more comfortable. We’ve seen a rise in his velocity [he hit 101 mph in his third straight scoreless appearance] and just how he’s attacking. I feel like he’s in a good spot.”
Shortly after Getz spoke, though, Leasure, Brebbia and Garcia took some lumps against the Rockies.
“Our pitching as a whole is really improved,” Getz said. “We are in a solid position to go into the year.”
Getz also noted better defense up the middle and a better overall baseball IQ.
“We’re going to reap the rewards as the season goes on,” he said.
OK, it’s the general manager entering his first full season on the job talking, and optimism is as common as clouds and 40 degree temperatures on Opening Day. Let’s see how it plays out Thursday and beyond.
The Sox have one day left in camp. They’ll play Triple-A Charlotte in a 10 a.m. scrum that might not go longer than six innings. Soroka is scheduled for five, and onetime Royals ace Brad Keller is slated for two pitching for the Knights.
The Sox know what the Opening Day roster will be but might wait till Thursday morning to make it official. Trades, perhaps minor, are possible to create space on the 40-man roster.
“Teams are still trying to fill needs,” Getz said. “We continue to have conversations with other clubs, too. Everyone is trying to put their best foot forward to start the season. Our door is always open to look at ways to improve, but we are getting much, much closer.”
“I feel like we’re in a good spot,” Grifol said. “We’re already done or close to done, and what I mean by close is you never know what can happen by Opening Day. We feel pretty good about our camp and the roster going to Chicago.”
And how do you feel, Sox fan?
Just wait a few days and see for yourself.
