Pedro Grifol knows he and his team need to prove themselves to White Sox fans

GLENDALE, Ariz. (670 The Score) – With new general manager Chris Getz now in charge and the White Sox coming off a 101-loss season, manager Pedro Grifol knows he has plenty to prove to everyone in his second season in the dugout on the South Side.

While Grifol remembers the experience of 2023, he wants to put it in the rearview mirror.

“You saw what it looked like, and you don't bring last year to this year's evaluation,” Grifol said Tuesday in his first media session at spring training. “You just start from scratch. It's hard to do. Last year was last year. That is why we have a new 162-game schedule to play. We will have to prove it on the field every day.”

Grifol was hired with the task of leading a veteran White Sox team to the playoffs in 2023, but the season spiraled quickly and the club was a seller at the trade deadline. The expectations are now different, as the White Sox have begun a roster overhaul and aren’t considered a playoff contender entering spring training.

This year, Grifol will need to show patience and savvy as the White Sox look to rebound behind young players and veterans who have struggled recently or are on prove-it deals.

"I love this game and have a passion for it,” Grifol said. “I love what I am doing, and I love being a leader. It maybe didn't look right in (the fans’) eyes last year. But there is a reason I am where I am. You just don't get handed these jobs. This is just one of 30 jobs. Over time, I have earned the right to be here. But I have to continue to prove that it was the right decision.”

After the White Sox’s roster turnover, Grifol is excited about the brand of baseball he hopes the team can play. He believes the White Sox can play strong defense, run the bases well and have a better effort.

"We have had a good offseason, and I am excited to be here,” Grifol said. “Pressure, for me, is a privilege. The day I decided to go from the front office to the field with this goal and dream in mind, I knew there would be a lot of pressure in this job. That was my decision, and it was not a naive decision. Yeah, it is fun and we hope to have a great time, but I understand pressure comes along with it. I enjoy pressure, and I enjoy getting the job done. Here we are and I am excited about this club. I am excited about the way the players will be thinking and the way they are talking. We are happy they are already going about it.”

Grifol knows that fans aren’t going to forget the abject failure of the organization in recent years until the team showcases improved results moving forward.

"Last season was a difficult year, but it was a learning experience for all of us,” Grifol said. “The one thing we did this offseason was prepare for 2024. It wasn't just the front office. Our players did a great job of preparing. We changed this roster quite a bit. We brought in some guys who have experience and know how to win. We brought in guys who care about winning and care about the team and teammates. Some of them have been in winning organizations like (Paul) DeJong, (Martin) Maldonado and (Max) Stassi.
Maldonado, after two weeks, told me he had Facetimed with eight or 10 players. Hearing all that gives me the feeling we are in the right place here. So I think we are a hell of a lot more prepared for this year as far as the infrastructure of how we want to do things. The players’ interactions and a lot of the players are different. There is a good vibe here and good energy.”

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine .