After firing Pedro Grifol on Aug. 8, Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz laid out the team’s approach to finding its next manager.
“We’re going to have a broad search,” Getz said during a video conference call that day. “And it’s going to be a thorough interview process, so every candidate’s obviously going to be different based on personality and resumé.
“We’re going to go out there, we’re going to find the right fit.”
The Sox could be nearing a decision soon.
Coming off a modern-day MLB record-setting 121-loss season, the Sox have reportedly discussed former managers, current bench coaches, ex-big leaguers in other roles and interim skipper Grady Sizemore.
Multiple reports on Monday listed Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable, Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz, former Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin and Sizemore as potential options for the Sox. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Venable, Albernaz and Nevin as three finalists on Tuesday. Team announcements typically come after the World Series or during a day between games.
“Our organization’s most important decision in the coming months is to evaluate and identify a new manager and leadership voice for this organization,” Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf wrote as part of his letter to fans on Sept. 29. “Chris is well underway with this search. He has identified the key attributes and preferences for our next manager and has already begun an exhaustive search with a wide range of candidates to lead the White Sox in the clubhouse and dugout.”
During the season, Getz said the Sox would mainly focus on people “outside the organization and on someone who’s in uniform,” later adding that Sizemore was also in consideration.
“He has a lot of traits that we’re looking for,” Getz said of Sizemore on Sept. 24. “But we certainly want to go through a full process before we make any sort of decision.”
The Sox went 13-32 during Sizemore’s 45 games as the interim manager. He received strong support from players along the way.
“He’s a very easy guy to follow,” starter Garrett Crochet said during the final week of the regular season. “He’s a good leader in the clubhouse. And I think most of all, he’s got the credibility of having played at this level, and at a really high level. So there’s a lot of faith and trust that the guys have in him.
“Would love to see him here moving forward.”
In addition to being mentioned with the Sox, Venable and Albernaz are reportedly finalists for the Miami Marlins opening.
Albernaz, who turns 42 on Wednesday, served as the bullpen coach of the San Francisco Giants from 2020-23 before joining Cleveland’s staff.
Venable, who turned 42 on Tuesday, worked with Joe Maddon during a portion of his time with the Cubs, Alex Cora while with the Boston Red Sox and Bruce Bochy in Texas. He’s been a first-base coach, third-base coach, bench coach and associate manager at the major-league level. He also played parts of nine seasons in the majors.
Nevin, 53, worked with Maddon while with the Angels, joining their staff in 2022 as the third-base coach. He replaced Maddon as their interim manager that June and gained the permanent title in October 2022.
Nevin went 119-149 while guiding the Angels. The team declined his option for 2024. He earned All-Star honors in 2001 as part of his 12 years as a major-league player. His son, Tyler Nevin, currently plays for the Athletics.
Former big-league managers Skip Schumaker and Buck Showalter, bench coaches George Lombard (Detroit), Donnie Ecker (Texas), Daniel Descalso (St. Louis) and Danny Lehmann (Los Angeles Dodgers), San Diego special assistant A.J. Ellis and Dodgers first-base coach Clayton McCullough are just some of the other names that have been mentioned in reports over the last month.
Getz said on Sept. 24 that the goal was to hire someone “that’s going to represent not only an extension of the front office, but lead our players, lead our organization towards better days ahead.”
It might not be long until the Sox unveil who will receive that opportunity.
