After the regular season, teams who have an open manager position immediately begin the search for their next coach. The Cincinnati Reds have already made a huge splash, as they have hired Terry Francona to be their next manager.
White Sox are going through the same process, but there hasn’t been much news on that front, as it seems that Chris Getz is trying to keep this situation under wraps. However, compared to other teams, the White Sox have some slightly different circumstances, as they have an interim manger that is gunning for the job.
It seems that Grady Sizemore has a good chance to keep the job, but the White Sox will likely conduct plenty of interviews to make sure there isn’t a better candidate for the job.
Recently, a name that nobody suspected has come out of nowhere and is throwing his hat in to the ring for the White Sox manager spot.
According to Keith Law, longtime major league manager Buck Showalter is interested in the White Sox job.
In Keith Law’s latest live chat on October 4th, he mentioned that Showalter is interested in the job.
“One thing I heard that I would hate for them is that Buck Showalter is angling for the manager’s job – given his propensity to interfere in player development, he’s the wrong hire for that position.”
Keith Law’s Live Chat, October 4th, via the Athletic.
As Law points out, this might not be the best move for the White Sox. Perhaps two years ago when they hired Pedro Grifol this move would have made a lot more sense, but now with the current state of the team, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for any party.
While Showalter has a very impressive resume, as he has over 1700 wins and a career winning percentage over .500, at this point in time, the White Sox need a manager to grow with the team. While he is much younger than Tony LaRussa was when the White Sox hired him, this feels like it would be a similar move.
If Showalter does have a problem interfering with player development, that might not be a huge issue here, as the White Sox don’t know how to develop young hitters, so maybe some change would help. However, this move would feel like much of the same for the White Sox and wouldn’t move the needle.
With the sweeping changes throughout the organization, I doubt Chris Getz makes this hire. He likely wants a newer manager that can grow with the team and relate with the younger players. If Showalter is hired, it is likely Jerry interfering in the process once again.
At this point, my best guess would be that the White Sox keep Grady Sizemore, as many feel that he did enough to keep the job. However, I hope that the White Sox go through the process with the intention to hire outside the organization, and if Sizemore impresses more than the other candidates, then give him the job.
You can’t interfere with something that doesn’t exist, i.e., White Sox player development
I’m sorry, but the Sox should welcome Showalter’s “interference” with player development.