The White Sox made headlines on Thursday by announcing the dismissal of manager Pedro Grifol, setting the stage for significant changes within the team. In the wake of Grifol’s departure, the South Side squad is gearing up for a new managerial leadership.
Until a permanent replacement is appointed, Grady Sizemore, a major league coach, will step in as the interim manager. Additionally, the team will see some adjustments to their coaching staff for the remainder of the season: Doug Sisson will take over as the bench coach, Justin Jirschele will assume the role of third base coach, and Mike Gellinger will become the assistant hitting coach. These appointments come as replacements for former coaches Charlie Montoyo, Eddie Rodriguez, and Mike Tosar.
The White Sox are set to begin their search for a new manager with an advantageous “head start.” General Manager Chris Getz emphasized the importance of a thorough search to find the right individual to lead the organization. He explained that starting early allows the team to organize and initiate discussions with potential candidates, both within and outside the organization. “We want to be as thorough as possible and make sure that we find the right person to lead this organization,” Getz stated. “Doing it now gives us a head start in getting organized.
Although the team aims to have a new manager in place after the season concludes, Getz acknowledged the challenges in setting a precise timeline. The White Sox hope to expedite the process, but the timing could be influenced by the availability of candidates currently employed by other teams, especially those participating in the playoffs. “Quite honestly, tough to tell, right?” Getz remarked. “If we get access to some of our targets it could move quicker. But you want to be respectful of clubs that are in the playoffs, and there could be candidates on those clubs. Don’t want to rush into this.”
In contrast to their previous search, which concluded after the World Series in 2022, the White Sox now face a different timeline. Back then, they hired Grifol after Tony La Russa stepped down in early October, with the formal announcement coming in November after the World Series. This time around, the team has seven weeks remaining in the current season. If they choose to wait until after the World Series, they will have approximately 12 weeks to finalize their decision.
As the White Sox navigate this transition, the focus will be on finding a suitable successor to guide the team through its future endeavors. The timing of the hire will be crucial, and the team remains committed to making a well-considered decision despite the evolving circumstances.
