This season has been an absolute roller coaster for White Sox fans. From the high expectations at the beginning of the season to the disappointment almost immediately after the season started, there has not been much to be excited about. White Sox fans did have a glimmer of hope when Jerry fired Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams, but that did not last long, as many were disappointed when they turned around and hired internally.
Many were upset with Chris Getz hire, as most fans wanted an outside face. This would have been a nice fresh breath of air for the organization that desperately needed it, but that ship has completely sailed now. The only thing left to do is either boycott the team or give it a chance.
For those giving it a chance, you will be pleasantly surprised, as the first few moves that Getz has made to the front office are pretty good and are already being lauded by members of the media, which is a great start.
According to Bob Nightengale, Getz has added Josh Barfield, Brian Bannister, and Gene Watson to the front office, all in slightly different roles. All three are from different organizations, so this is a nice start for an organization that desperately needs an outside point of view in their front office.
Josh Barfield was the Arizona Diamondbacks’ director of player development, and per Scott Merkin, he will serve as an assistant GM with the Chicago White Sox. Barfield has helped oversee and develop some of the best young talent in the game, as Arizona has developed a great supply of young talent recently, including young superstars like Corbin Carroll.
If Barfield can help in the scouting department for the White Sox, as he has previously identified good talent, that would be a huge boost to the organization. Regardless, he will be a different voice in the ear of Chris Getz, which is much needed.
Brian Bannister is leaving his role as the San Fransisco Giants director of pitching. Bannister, a pitcher with the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals from 2006-2010 will now move on to his third front office, as he also served as the Boston Red Sox director of pitching.
Per Bob Nightengale, Bannister will specialize in pitching development for the White Sox, which is desperately needed. It seems that the Sox could not develop pitching as of late, which has absolutely killed them. If he can add a fresh perspective to the fresh crop of arms in the upper minors, that will be very useful.
Gene Watson is leaving his role as the VP of Major League Scouting with the Royals for a spot with the Chicago White Sox front office. Per Bob Nightengale, Watson will focus on player personnel for the White Sox. Watson has had a long tenure in baseball, as he has been a scout and had roles within the Dodgers organization as well. Another fresh face will hopefully help the Sox regain competency in the front office.
Regardless of how you feel about the Getz hire, it is nice to see him bring in some fresh faces to a consistently stale organization. Hopefully, these work out well and help turn around the White Sox major and minor league clubs.
