(670 The Score) With the end of the World Series in sight, the White Sox appear ready to name a new manager soon.
Candidates who remain in the mix include Rangers associate manager Will Venable, former Angels manager Phil Nevin, Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz and White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore. While it’s unclear who the favorite to land the White Sox job is, Venable and Albernaz are the two finalists for the Marlins’ managerial opening, according to the Miami Herald.
Shortly after firing manager Pedro Grifol on Aug. 8, White Sox general manager Chris Getz stressed the next manager would be hired from outside the organization. His view later evolved, putting Sizemore back in the mix to become the White Sox’s full-time manager.
The White Sox went 13-32 under Sizemore’s guidance after sitting at 28-89 on the day they fired Grifol. Their 121 losses in 2024 set the MLB record for the most losses in a single season.
Venable, 42, has worked alongside four-time World Series-winning manager Bruce Bochy for the past two seasons in Texas. Long considered one of the top minds in the game, Venable had a nine-year MLB playing career and worked for the Cubs from 2017-’20, first in their front office and then as their first-base coach and third-base coach. Venable was then the Red Sox’s bench coach for two seasons before joining the Rangers.
Nevin was dismissed by the Angeles following the 2023 after taking over their managerial job from Joe Maddon in June 2022. He has the most managerial experience of the candidates the White Sox are looking at, as he had numerous managing jobs in the minor leagues after a 12-year MLB playing career.
Albernaz just completed his first season with the Guardians after working as a bullpen and catching coach for the Giants for four years. In San Francisco, Albernaz forged a close relationship with current White Sox senior advisor to pitching Brian Bannister. Prior to that, Albernaz worked in the Rays organization.
Getz is looking for a manager that shares his vision to lead the White Sox forward.
“We are looking for a manager that understands the situation we are presently in,” Getz said as the season was coming to a close. “I am looking for a true partner who is up to the challenge. This comes in different forms, but we have built out our criteria. We know the desired outcomes after we go through the deep candidate pool. We will find the best fit for us.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.