In a Zoom call with local beat writers this afternoon, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn revealed details surrounding the resumption of baseball activities next week. Here’s what we know based on a series of tweets:
- The first on-field workout for the White Sox will be next Friday, July 3rd, at Guaranteed Rate Field. The team expects to have approximately 44 players participate, with a taxi squad of about 16 players reporting directly to a site that is TBD. (Daryl Van Schouwen)
- The taxi squad is not completely finalized but is expected to report on July 15th. Details should be confirmed within the next 48 hours. (Kevin Powell)
- Hahn said the primary goal is to “Build off the momentum of Glendale.” (LaMond Pope)
- Hahn on the upcoming 60-game season: “You are going to win 20, lose 20, it’s what you do with the other 20 that makes the difference.” (Scott Merkin)
- Hahn on biggest intrigue of the season: “The equivalent of 1 game being worth 3 in a normal schedule. It will take adjusting. I tend not to behave well during games we’re losing when we have 162. I can’t imagine how I behave when the stakes are higher.” (Josh Frydman)
- “Hahn said Kopech is someone who can make a significant impact to the team over the course of 60 games. Wouldn’t go too deep into roster construction at this point.” (Scott Merkin)
- Hahn touched on Nick Madrigal too, saying he is someone who can make the Major League team out of camp or help at some point later in the season. (James Fegan)
- Hahn said players and coaches are allowed to opt-out for health reasons, though nobody has expressed that desire thus far. (James Fegan)
- Hahn said there have been no positive COVID-19 tests among any members of the organization, but also pointed out that intake of the second round of Spring Training has not begun. (Vinnie Duber)
- There have also been no positive tests of any players or employees at the Camelback Ranch facility in Glendale, Arizona. (Scott Merkin)
- Hahn touched on the undrafted free agents, saying the signings will be officially announced next week. Many of the targets apparently went back to college and the franchise wasn’t especially looking to add many, to begin with due to the uncertainty about being able to accommodate them. (James Fegan)
Following Hahn, White Sox manager Rick Renteria addressed the media.
- Ricky said the team will be looking at all aspects of constructing a rotation, including using a sixth man and openers. (Scott Merkin)
- Renteria on expectations: “I’m still extremely optimistic. I continue to be optimistic about how positively we can roll forward.” (Vinnie Duber)
- “Renteria said most of his players have continued to work and they have kept track of their activity during this break.” (Scott Merkin)
- The new extra-innings rule of placing a runner at second to begin the inning does not interest Ricky: “I’m sure that’s something everybody’s excited about trying. But, I’ll be honest, I’m not. I’m more of a traditionalist.” (Vinnie Duber)
- Renteria on the legitimacy of the 2020 World Series: “I’ll let history decide what it means or what it doesn’t mean. If we’re able to accomplish that, that would be great. And everybody can do with it what they wish because they will anyways.” (Vinnie Duber)
It’s great to hear from both Hahn and Renteria and get a sense of where they’re at moving forward. While we have some clarity regarding the report date, there is still some expected uncertainty that comes with this 60-game season. Obviously, this is something that hasn’t been dealt with before so with the increased stakes and new rule changes coming to the sport, there’s going to be some tweaking of the strategy to maximize success. Once players report and Opening Day approaches, we’ll likely have a better idea of where things stand for topics of interest like rising prospects and the rotation.
As for the schedule, the regular season is set to begin league-wide on July 23rd and 24th. In an effort to minimize travel the White Sox will be playing a majority of games against their division opponents (40, or 10 against each division opponent) and the rest against their geographic counterpart in the other league – the NL Central. A new schedule is in the works and should be revealed in the coming days.
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