White Sox out to prove themselves after tough 2022: 'We played like crap'

The Chicago White Sox aren't interested in repeating their 2022 campaign, during which they failed to meet expectations and saw a lot of the blame land on former manager Tony La Russa.

"It didn't matter who was managing. We didn't play hard enough. We didn't focus enough. We embarrassed ourselves," right-hander Joe Kelly said, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

"I could have managed that team, and we could have finished .500. Tony left, Miguel (Cairo) took over, and we still sucked. We played like crap."

The White Sox entered last season with World Series aspirations following two consecutive trips to the postseason and one of baseball's most talented rosters.

The talent didn't translate to success, however, with Chicago finishing 81-81, 11 games behind the division-winning Cleveland Guardians.

During a campaign chock-full of injuries and underperformance, La Russa took a leave from the club due to health concerns and eventually announced his retirement. He was replaced by former Kansas City Royals coach Pedro Grifol in November.

Grifol has brought a different energy and work ethic to spring camp, which veteran ace Lance Lynn says has been refreshing.

"You look at last year and the attention to details were lost because we got complacent," the pitcher said. "We went to the playoffs for two years, and kind of feel like we were the team to beat. We got complacent, and other teams got us.

"Guys now are actually prepared and ready to go. There's a new intensity around here after getting slapped in the face last year."

Despite the changes in camp and a new skipper, the White Sox are still projected to regress in 2023 by PECOTA, who expect Chicago to wind up third in the AL Central at 79-83.