The White Sox dismissed manager Pedro Grifol this morning in a much overdue move. Amid the worst season in franchise history and possibly the worst in modern MLB history, it was only a matter of time before Grifol’s tenure with the White Sox ended. The team finally pulled the plug, just days after snapping a franchise record 21-game losing streak. Several coaches also got the boot, signaling significant changes in the White Sox organization.
Grady Sizemore was named interim manager shortly after the announcement of Grifol’s dismissal. The long-time MLB outfielder joined the White Sox coaching staff before this season and will now serve as the manager for the time being. However, his tenure as the White Sox skipper will likely be brief. The White Sox will name a full-time replacement in the offseason, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Chris Getz’s comments this morning add an interesting wrinkle to the White Sox managerial search. He stated earlier that the expectation is that the White Sox next manager will be from outside the organization. That seemingly eliminates the possibility of Sizemore retaining the job into next year. That criterion would also eliminate Justin Jirschele and Sergio Santos, managers of the AAA Charlotte Knights and AA Birmingham Barons, respectively, from contention. Getz mentioned that the organization would “target candidates currently in uniforms with other clubs.” A handful of notable candidates stand out from the pack using these parameters.
Skip Schumaker is one of the current favorites for landing the job. His name being in this conversation is not a new development, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Schumaker is a “strong candidate”. The current manager of the Marlins, Schumaker would make sense given the White Sox apparent criteria. He is from outside the organization and is currently with another club. He also has a connection to Tony La Russa dating back to their St. Louis days which could be a factor.
John Gibbons, the Mets current bench coach, is a candidate per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. The former Blue Jays manager, Gibbons also meets the supposed criteria of being from outside the organization and currently with another organization. The 62-year-old was Chris Getz’s manager during his playing days, so their relationship is part of the equation. If the White Sox want a more proven manager to lead a young rebuilding team, Gibbons could be an option.
Chris Fetter, the Tigers current pitching coach, could also be an option per Morosi. He fits the same criteria as Schumaker and Gibbons, but differs in that he has never been an MLB manager before. However, he does share a University of Michigan connection with Getz. Pitching has been an emphasis for the White Sox organization lately, and Fetter’s pitching background could help his chances here. He is also only 38, so he could be hired with the expectation of being the manager for years to come.
Terry Francona is more of an unlikely option, but he is an option nonetheless. The 65-year-old future Hall of Fame skipper has said he wants to return to managing, and he has a history with the White Sox organization dating back to the 1990s. It would likely take a significant amount of money to lure Francona into the situation the White Sox are currently in. However, his name belongs in the conversation.
A.J. Pierzynski is a fan favorite on the south side, and his name has been mentioned frequently in fan discussions over the past few months. He has never managed before, but that has not stopped the White Sox in the past. He is one of the more unlikely options on paper, but you never know.
Mike Matheny has managerial experience in St. Louis and Kansas City, two organizations with which the White Sox have had connections in recent years. Although his name has not officially come up in rumors, Matheny is a proven manager from outside the organization. He could fit their qualifications.
The White Sox organization will have its work cut out moving forward. It will be tough to convince a well-respected and successful manager to enter the team’s current situation. Thankfully, they have a long time to figure out who the next lead man will be. Hopefully, they get it right this time.
