Terry Francona is interested in managing again, according to ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian. The 65-year-old Francona has dealt with health issues in recent years and is not currently managing, but Kurkjian reported yesterday that Francona “is going to get healthy and then he’ll be back [managing] in a year and a half…he loves the game, part of his fiber in every way, would not be shocked to see him back.” Francona’s desire to continue managing is a notable development league-wide. It is especially noteworthy for a team like the White Sox who need to improve their managerial situation and could desperately use his services.
Francona’s Résumé
Francona’s managerial track record speaks for itself. He has won three pennants, three Manager of the Year awards, and two World Series. He also has a career .538 winning percentage and ranks 13th all-time in wins. Francona is widely considered one of the best managers in MLB history.
Francona’s Previous White Sox Ties
The big question regarding the White Sox and Francona is whether he would be interested in coming to Chicago. The list of teams interested in Francona would circle the block should he want to return to managing, and the White Sox are certainly not at the top of any list right now in terms of being an attractive destination. Ownership and the talent on the roster are two critical factors for any potential managerial hire to consider, and both aspects are significant issues for the White Sox right now.
However, Francona does have a history with the White Sox organization under Jerry Reinsdorf’s ownership. Francona managed for several seasons in the White Sox farm system in the early 1990s. He was the manager of the AA Birmingham Barons when Michael Jordan played in the minor leagues. Francona’s time with the White Sox organization was long ago, and it is unclear what his relationship is with Reinsdorf these days. But it is still a noteworthy tidbit given Reinsdorf’s tendency to prioritize existing relationships and hire people he is familiar with.
Potential Seamless Transition
Per Kurkjian’s report, Francona is still getting healthy and might be ready to return sometime next year. For the White Sox specifically, that timeline is easier to navigate than it would be for teams looking to compete this season and needing immediate managerial upgrades. The 2024 season is already over for the White Sox, so it is not like they have to find an immediate replacement for Pedro Grifol. Letting Grifol go after the season would create a clean break from his era and allow Francona to hypothetically take over the reins in 2025 with a clean slate.
Reinsdorf’s Chance At Redemption
The White Sox are a trainwreck and an embarrassment to the game of baseball right now. Given his age, health issues, and reputation, Francona almost certainly would not agree to enter a situation like the one the team is currently in. Reinsdorf would likely have to open up the checkbook and shell out big bucks on both roster improvements and a massive manager contract this offseason to have a chance at wooing Francona to the south side. Considering his spending habits, Reinsdorf pulling out all the stops to bring in a top-tier manager seems easier said than done.
However, he did increase payroll significantly when he brought his old friend Tony La Russa back to manage the team before the 2021 season. There is some precedent for Reinsdorf to up the ante for managers with whom he had long-term relationships. Bringing in a respected manager of Francona’s caliber would undoubtedly restore goodwill between the White Sox organization and the fan base and signal that the team is ready to compete again.
