Reds are staring at another rebuild while the White Sox show what could've been

The Chicago White Sox just showed the Cincinnati Reds how it's done. On Wednesday, the White Sox knocked the Houston Astros out of the playoffs — winnings their first postseason series since 2005 — and have a date with the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series.

The White Sox did this with one of the lowest payrolls in the sport ($94 million), a second-year manager, a starting lineup that features just one player over the age of 26, and a host of homegrown talent.

Chicago's Senior Vice President and GM Chris Getz took over the reins in August of 2023. He previously worked as part of the Kansas City Royals development department, but joined the White Sox in 2017 and helped Chicago draft and develop former All-Stars like Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, and Luis Robert Jr.

Getz, however, was also part of the front office when the White Sox decided to part company with those same stars. Giolito was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in 2023, Cease was dealt to the San Diego Padres in 2024, and Robert landed with the New York Mets earlier this season.

He also oversaw the trade that sent former ace Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox last year. Interestingly enough, three of the four players Getz brought from Boston to the South Side of Chicago were part of the White Sox starting lineup during their Wild Card Series victory over the Astros. In fact, infielder Chase Meidroth's three-run homer pushed Chicago's one-run lead to four, and essentially put the final nail in the Astros' coffin.

The Reds must follow the White Sox's example if they ever hope to find success

But what does Chicago's success have to do with the Reds? Everything! The White Sox, much like the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays just gave the Reds the blueprint for how to win at the highest level with a modest budget.

Though not every one of Getz's trades worked to perfection, Chicago's top decision-maker was unafraid to make big, bold moves. Trading away Giolito, Cease, and Crochet was not popular, but it was necessary for the White Sox to receive some sort of meaningful return on their investment. The Brewers have employed a similar strategy over the years, trading away the likes of Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, and Devin Williams.

Whether Nick Krall is unwilling (or unable) to make such moves has become a major talking point throughout Reds Country. Given the current state of Cincinnati's roster, it's difficult to see the Reds making a playoff push in 2027 and beyond without some major White Sox-like trades.

Chicago just showed Cincinnati the way. The question now becomes whether or not the Reds' leadership has the guts (or the permission) to follow their example.

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