Pedro Grifol is just the beginning of a series of changes coming for the Southsiders.
On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox made a surprising move by firing manager Pedro Grifol and his bench coach, Charlie Montoyo. This decision came after the team had recently matched the American League record with 21 consecutive losses. Although they narrowly avoided a 22nd loss with a win against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday, they fell again on Wednesday, sealing Grifol’s fate.
Grifol, who managed the White Sox for two seasons, had a poor overall record of 89-190. While it’s difficult to place all the blame on him for the team’s struggles, the lengthy losing streak had undoubtedly damaged the team’s morale and credibility.
There is a distinction between a slow rebuilding process and consistently embarrassing your organization, and right now, the White Sox are in the latter category.
The team is expected to wait until the offseason to appoint a new full-time manager. Grifol is likely to return to coaching in the future, ideally with a better team and more stable management.
GM Chris Getz, in his first year with the team, now faces a critical decision in selecting the next manager. The White Sox need to make the right choice.
For now, it’s evident that the White Sox are heading towards a major overhaul. The trade deadline didn’t bring the expected high-profile moves, but a significant roster reset is anticipated in the offseason, providing more time to finalize trades and make adjustments.
The White Sox’s key players are also expected to depart soon.
3. Andrew Vaughn
Andrew Vaughn might not fully meet the ‘star’ expectations, but he’s one of Chicago’s most reliable hitters, which is a bit of a sad reality. The 26-year-old has had a challenging season, but with team control extending through 2026, he’s a valuable asset for teams looking for affordable power hitters.
Vaughn’s metrics—hard-hit rate, barrel rate, expected slugging, and exit velocity—are all in the 70th percentile or higher. He has a .236 batting average and a .682 OPS for the season, with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs. Although he’s struggled this year, he had OPSs above .700 in each of his first three MLB seasons. This downturn seems more like a minor dip in his career rather than a new norm.
A move to a more competitive team, where his performance isn’t so critical every night, could be beneficial for Vaughn. His value remains high due to his age and contract, making him a key asset for the White Sox to trade for top prospects and build for the future.
Chicago needs to retain a few decent hitters, and Vaughn is one of the few who could fetch significant value in trade discussions.
2. Garrett Crochet
Garrett Crochet was a notable name leading up to the trade deadline, but an unexpected contract demand disrupted his trade prospects. Crochet made it clear he wouldn’t pitch in the playoffs without a contract extension, which, while understandable given his injury history, made even the most daring front offices hesitant to commit midseason.
Crochet’s market should regain momentum when the offseason begins. Teams will be able to evaluate him more thoroughly as the season progresses. Key factors will be whether he can stay injury-free and how his performance holds up as he accumulates more innings. His answers to these questions will influence how much teams are willing to trade and what kind of contract he could secure.
Despite past elbow injuries and ongoing concerns, Crochet remains an attractive asset. At 25, he’s under team control through 2026, and a new contract could cover the rest of his prime years, providing a team with a dominant fastball-cutter combination. Crochet regularly hits close to 100 MPH and ranks high in strikeouts, with a 3.19 ERA and a leading 2.64 FIP, making him a Cy Young contender despite the White Sox’s struggles. Given the current premium on pitching, if Crochet stays healthy, it’s likely only a matter of time before the White Sox trade him for a significant return.
1. Luis Robert Jr.
Luis Robert Jr. didn’t attract much interest at the trade deadline, which was somewhat surprising. Despite his struggles at the plate this season, Robert remains a promising talent with significant power potential. Even amid injuries and the White Sox’s poor performance, he managed 12 home runs in 232 at-bats. His high barrel rate, in the 88th percentile, highlights his ability to make solid contact.
Several teams sought power hitters at the deadline, with players like Josh Bell and Jorge Soler moving to new teams. Robert’s value is higher due to his contract, which runs through 2027, but it’s only a matter of time before the White Sox receive a solid offer for him. In 2023, when fully healthy, Robert hit 38 home runs and stole 20 bases. He’s a top-tier athlete with a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove to his name and plays a crucial defensive role in center field.
The White Sox are likely years away from contending, and by the time they are competitive, Robert and Crochet might have new contracts. Given the White Sox’s current financial constraints, trading Robert could yield a significant return. As team control of Robert decreases with each passing day, the sooner he’s dealt, the better the potential return.
The White Sox front office will need to reflect deeply this offseason. While they might not be the worst team in MLB history, their performance is close to that level. Change will start with top players like Robert, Crochet, and Vaughn being considered for trades this winter.
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