It’s understandable that many of you are feeling frustrated with the Chicago White Sox after a tough 2024 season. However, there are still those of us who are eager to explore ways the team can address its challenges moving forward.
One area that has seen overdue changes is the international scouting department, where the organization had fallen behind compared to other teams. The recent restructuring suggests that the front office is aware of the need for improvement, especially given the franchise’s struggles over the last decade.
For most fans, the international scouting department may not be a focal point. It typically operates behind the scenes, scouting young players from Latin America, many of whom may never reach the big leagues. This makes it easy for casual fans to overlook its significance.
However, what’s capturing most fans’ attention now is the search for a permanent manager. After Pedro Grifol was let go in early August, Grady Sizemore took over as interim manager. General Manager Chris Getz has emphasized the importance of hiring someone with recent dugout experience, which might suggest that Sizemore isn’t a strong candidate for the permanent role. But is that really the case?
While Sizemore’s status is still uncertain, another issue has frustrated White Sox fans: missing out on Terry Francona, who was recently hired by the Cincinnati Reds. Months ago, I questioned whether a highly sought-after manager would even consider taking this job, given the team’s current state. As a result, it might be necessary to look at first-time candidates or fan favorites like A.J. Pierzynski.
### A Fresh Start
Regardless of who becomes the next manager, one crucial factor must be considered: the next manager should have the freedom to choose their own coaching staff.
For years, the White Sox have saddled new managers with coaches who were already in place, without fully considering how they fit into the new manager’s plans. Don Cooper and Darryl Boston, for example, have outlasted multiple managerial changes. Even when Tony La Russa was hired in 2020, pitching coach Ethan Katz was already chosen for him. While La Russa may have been involved in that decision, the process seemed misaligned with typical managerial autonomy.
I’m not suggesting the entire coaching staff needs to be replaced for the 2025 season, but the new manager should have the authority to evaluate and decide who stays and who goes. If they feel certain coaches align with their vision, they should be free to retain them. On the other hand, if they believe certain staff members aren’t a good fit, they shouldn’t be forced to keep them just because they’re already in place.
This pattern of forcing a coaching staff on managers has gone on far too long. If Getz is serious about changing the culture, he should grant the new manager the freedom to build their own team. While input from the front office can be valuable, the final decisions should rest with the manager.
If the next manager—whether it’s Sizemore or someone else—decides that Ethan Katz isn’t the right fit for pitching coach, they should be able to make that change. Though there’s been talk of a strong connection between Brian Bannister and Katz, Bannister has likely built other relationships throughout his career that could lead to a fresh direction for the team’s pitching infrastructure.
Forcing a coaching staff onto a manager, regardless of their experience level, is a flawed strategy, especially for a team that has struggled for years. The current coaching staff has no strong track record of success, and keeping them around out of habit makes little sense. The White Sox are lagging behind the rest of the league in almost every aspect, and it’s possible that some of the people on the payroll are contributing more to the problem than to the solution.
If Getz is going to hire a manager for a typical three-year stint, he needs to allow that person to build a team they trust, both on the field and in the dugout. The organization has recently admitted that many of its processes are outdated, and hopefully, this includes revisiting how they handle coaching hires.
Many White Sox fans are eager to move on from the Pedro Grifol era and, in some cases, from the Kenny Williams/Rick Hahn regimes entirely. While I understand this sentiment, I also think some current staff members may be worth keeping. Ultimately, the decision should be made by the manager, who will be responsible for the team’s win-loss record. The days of open-ended coaching contracts must come to an end.
To truly change the culture, the White Sox need to give their next manager the authority to implement their own vision and not be tied down by staff holdovers. The team has many areas in need of improvement, and those recent acknowledgments of failure should extend beyond the international scouting department to the dugout at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Leave a Reply