Fans won't have much to be excited about at White Sox' first fan fest since 2020, and Getz gets it

When we last saw the White Sox, they were best left unseen, setting that modern day record for losses in a season. Since then, they’ve done little to improve the product for this coming season while asking for their fans’ patience as they endure a second overhaul in 10 years.

There’s a new first-time manager, Will Venable, some alterations on the coaching staff and a new hitting director, Ryan Fuller. The biggest free agent signing was veteran lefty Martin Perez, on a one-year, $5 million deal with a $10 mutual option for 2026.

Second was 30-year-old infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas, signed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal but second to none in terms of Getz' excitement.

"Yeah, we were pumped – really pumped – to bring Josh in for a lot of different reasons," Getz said.

"This is a guy that is determined to match what he’s done in the past from an offensive standpoint. He's obviously become a strong defender. He can play second, third, short, wings of the outfield."

All-Star lefty Garrett Crochet, the best thing about the Sox last season, was traded to the Red Sox for four prospects in December.

Hang with us, general manager Chris Getz seemed to be saying Thursday.

“From the beginning, I’ve been very committed to building the foundational pieces of the organization,” said Getz, entering his first full season as general manager. “We are at the point where we’ve got some really tangible things to point to.”

Getz and Venable were featured at a press conference at The Rate, the new name for the Sox’ ballpark, on Thursday. Aside from an improving farm system thanks to trades of proven players, there isn’t a lot to be excited about as the Sox open the doors to SoxFest Live Friday, their first winter fan gathering since COVID. It will be held at a smaller venue, the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport near Rate Field. Luis Robert Jr. won’t be there, nor will Andrew Benintendi. The biggest attractions might be 2005 World Series heroes Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras and Freddy Garcia.

“I realize that fans may not be stimulated by hearing about infrastructure growth and building a new academy in the Dominican Republic, and refining different areas of the organization,” Getz said, “because they want to see wins at the major-league level. And I understand that. But just like when you're building a business, it's going to take time for you to be as productive as you'd like to be.”

Getz reminded fans there will be moments of frustration with a young team. Fans already know what that’s like having digested the embarassment of 121 losses in 2024.

“There are going to be some growing pains along the way,” Getz said.

Or just growing. Top pitching prospect Noah Schultz, has grown to 6-10, 240 pounds. He was 6-9, 220 last we heard. And Hagen Smith, another first-round draft pick, is up to 235 pounds from 215 on signing day, so there’s that. They’ll be at SoxFest for fans to see for themselves, and more significantly, they’re ranked as baseball’s top two left-handed pitching prospects. They’ll be in major league camp when spring training opens in less than three weeks on Feb. 12.

Venable has identified his objections for his first camp. As for establishing an identity for a team that won't contend for the postseason, Venable cited effort, "going out and competing" and "holding guys accountable."

NOTES: Players expected to attend SoxFest Live are Brooks Baldwin, Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, Korey Lee, Bryan Ramos, Mike Tauchman, Drew Thorpe, Miguel Margas and Gus Varland.

*Getz said the Sox made a presentation to free agent Roki Sasaki but did not get an interview.

*Getz said prospect Colson Montgomery, the team’s first-round pick in 2021, is expected to play shortstop “at some point this year.”

*Getz could add to the roster before Opening Day but he said “most of the heavy lifting” is done.