Chris Getz has spent “a little bit of time” with Justin Ishbia.
“More of a casual encounter than anything,” the Sox general manager said Friday afternoon at Rate Field. “Seems like a very knowledgeable person when it comes to the game. I know he’s got a passion for baseball.”
Getz pointed out a commonality between the two of coming from the metro Detroit area and making their way to Chicago.
“So there’s always something to talk about,” Getz said. “We used to root for the Tigers and now we despise the Tigers — but I could just say that about myself, I can’t speak for him.”
Getz discussed the immediate impact of Thursday’s announcement that Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf had reached a long-term investment agreement that establishes a framework for Ishbia to obtain a future controlling interest in the Sox.
“My conversations are with Jerry, they’ll remain with Jerry,” Getz said. “The day-to-day operations are as is. And I know that the announcement yesterday caught a significant amount of attention. I think that speaks to Jerry’s long-term vision and commitment to this organization.
“And it certainly aligns with baseball operations and how we’ve approached things and been committed to building the foundation of this organization. And building from the ground up. Both from an infrastructure standpoint and then the development of our players, whether it be through the minor leagues and now at the big leagues.”
Getz said his attention is “on 2025 and supporting Will Venable and others in the organization.”
“I certainly don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves,” Getz said. “I’m looking at the next three years, quite honestly. That’s the healthiest way to stay on track and stay disciplined to the plan we have in place.”
As part of the agreement, Ishbia will make capital infusions into the Sox as a limited partner in 2025 and 2026 that will be used to pay down existing debt and support ongoing team operations.
Photos: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals on Mexican Heritage Night at Rate Field
The Reinsdorf family continues to own controlling interest in the Sox. And Reinsdorf remains the sole day-to-day decisionmaker.
“Right now we’re focused on the work we’ve been doing,” Getz said. “Regardless of an announcement like yesterday, it doesn’t change my approach, our approach of building from within. And in due time when we want to round out the roster and make additions, we’ll have those conversations and we know we’ll be supported.
“But in the meantime, it’s about continuing to acquire the best players that we can and the mechanisms you’re given in this game and grow those players and build them up to be successful major-league players.”
Reinsdorf will have the option to sell the controlling interest to Ishbia from 2029 to 2033. After the 2034 season, Ishbia will have the option to acquire the controlling interest.
Getz took over as general manager in August 2023.
“The last year and a half, the conversations we’ve had with Jerry — and we’ll continue to have those conversations on areas that need to be improved — he’s been nothing short of fantastic in regards to giving us the support,” he said. “I look at what we’ve accomplished on the international side. You look at (research and development) support. You look at how we’re supporting our major-league club and player development.
“We’re going to continue to talk as a group and find ways to improve. We’ve been supported, and I’m confident we’ll continue to be supported.”
Getz kept the focus on the field, including Friday’s addition of the organization’s No. 2 prospect, Kyle Teel, to the major-league roster.
“A great example is welcoming Kyle Teel here, the continued development of Miguel Vargas and Chase Meidroth and what he’s done on the field,” Getz said. “And then on the mound with our starter, Sean Burke had an excellent start, a huge start for us (Thursday against the Detroit Tigers). Considering where we are from a pitching-inning standpoint in our bullpen, he really stepped up.
“So there’s just wonderful moments to see for whether it be myself or others in the organization, hopefully our fans to see these guys grow up, beginning to grow up at the major-league level. And it just goes back to this commitment from within at the top of really having this long-term approach for the Chicago White Sox.”
