The Tony La Russa 2.0 period is ending. So who would be the subsequent Chicago White Sox supervisor?
It’s exhausting to take a position with out figuring out whether or not normal supervisor Rick Hahn will return, or if Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf will as soon as once more make the choice on his personal, as he did in hiring La Russa after the 2020 season.
The Sox job little question will draw loads of curiosity due to the younger expertise and the prospect of a fast turnaround in 2023 with a number of free-agent additions and a change in clubhouse chemistry. Recall that the Houston Astros rebuild regressed after a playoff look in 2015, however they regrouped and received the World Series, albeit in tainted trend, with a lot of the similar core in 2017.
Here are a number of of the potential candidates for the Sox’s soon-to-be emptiness and why they may very well be thought-about for the opening.
A.J. Pierzynski
The present Fox Sports baseball analyst and former White Sox catcher informed the Tribune in June he would have an interest if La Russa left and Reinsdorf needed to interview him.
An absence of managerial expertise shouldn’t be a disadvantage for Pierzynski on this period the place Aaron Boone, David Ross and others have gone straight from the TV sales space to the dugout. He’d be a preferred selection with Sox followers and the media, and nearly actually would deliver a couple of change of tradition within the Sox clubhouse.
Bruce Bochy
The former San Francisco Giants supervisor is on his option to the Hall of Fame, however has informed associates he may very well be lured again to the dugout with the suitable job. Bochy was thought-about probably the greatest within the enterprise throughout his 25 years with the San Diego Padres and Giants, the place he received three titles.
Would hiring a 67-year-old who has been out of baseball for 3 years solely two years after hiring a 76-year-old supervisor who had been out of the dugout for 9 years be the suitable optics? That’s a query the Sox must ask themselves.
Ozzie Guillén
Before the Sox employed La Russa, they made it publicly recognized that Guillén wouldn’t be a candidate, hoping to stop followers from making a whirlwind of assist for the previous supervisor who guided them to their 2005 championship. Has something modified since then?
Guillén’s sharp criticism of the group as an NBC Sports Chicago analyst might work towards him, at the same time as Guillén was heading in the right direction a lot of the time. After two years of nonstop controversies underneath La Russa, the Sox might need to go for a low-key supervisor. And Guillén doesn’t do “low key.”
Chris Getz
Perhaps nobody is aware of the Sox farm system like Getz, the assistant normal supervisor/participant growth underneath Hahn.
If the Sox determine to make wholesale adjustments and deal with placing a youthful group on the sector, Getz may very well be the suitable man to implement these fixes. He additionally works effectively with Hahn and government vp Ken Williams — and may very well be ready for a GM alternative.
Joe Maddon
A model identify who received a championship with the crosstown Chicago Cubs in 2016, Maddon is biding his time in his Pennsylvania dwelling and ready for a name to return to the dugout.
His current broadsides towards meddling entrance workplace sorts allegedly attempting to shove analytics down managers’ throats might harm his possibilities. An upcoming e book by him guarantees to create a stir with the analytics crowd that dominate entrance workplaces.
Maddon has relationship with Reinsdorf and would assist the Sox advertising division promote tickets greater than any new rent, with the doable exception of Pierzynski.
Miguel Cairo
His sizzling 13-6 begin after changing La Russa on Aug. 30 gave Cairo a leg-up on the competitors. Cairo turned extra assured and seemingly loved being in cost.
But the Sox fell again to their previous methods and dropped out of AL Central competition underneath Cairo with a sweep by the Cleveland Guardians, probably damaging his probabilities of succeeding his mentor.
Hahn has repeatedly praised Cairo and his coaches for the job they’ve executed in La Russa’s absence, so Cairo ought to a minimum of be thought-about.
Willie Harris
The Cubs third base coach and former Sox outfielder interviewed for the job in 2020, however clearly Reinsdorf already had his thoughts made up on hiring La Russa.
Harris not too long ago informed NBC Sports Chicago: “I’ve checked all the boxes. Went through the minor leagues. I’ve done everything. My resume speaks for itself. I feel like I’m ready for the opportunity.”
Joe Girardi
Another well-respected supervisor with a championship ring in search of employment. Girardi had a .562 successful share and a title in 10 years with the New York Yankees, however was fired by the Philadelphia Phillies early this season after two-plus disappointing seasons.
A.J. Hinch
Hinch is reportedly signed by means of 2025 with the Detroit Tigers, although new president Scott Harris might make huge adjustments within the offseason after a regression in what was presupposed to be the pivot season in a rebuild.
Hinch reportedly was Hahn’s first selection to interchange Rick Renteria earlier than Reinsdorf determined the job was La Russa’s. The shine could also be off Hinch after two poor seasons in Detroit.
Carlos Beltrán
USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale talked about Beltrán as a doable candidate, regardless of the shortage of connections with the Sox. Nightengale was the primary to report the Sox’s curiosity in La Russa, which was scoffed at by many in Chicago when it was revealed in 2020. No one is aware of what the White Sox brass are considering greater than Nightengale.
Jim Thome
No one within the group is extra revered than Thome, the Hall of Famer and particular assistant to Hahn. His baseball information and management expertise are qualities that recommend he’d make supervisor, however Thome may not need to depart his consolation zone for the complications that may inevitably come from managing.
Ethan Katz
The present White Sox pitching coach has no managerial expertise, however the Sox like the way in which he has dealt with the workers underneath La Russa and Cairo — and in addition know Katz has the belief of the pitchers. Whether that’s sufficient for a giant soar to the supervisor’s chair is unknown.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com