(670 The Score) Judging from White Sox general manager Rick Hahn’s comments Monday, interested managerial candidates might not want to bother wasting their time applying unless they have championship-caliber experience.
“The best candidate or the ideal candidate is going to be someone who has experience with a championship organization in recent years – recent October experience with a championship organization,” Hahn said after dismissing manager Rick Renteria.
Of course, there are plenty of traits the White Sox are seeking in their next leader, including the ability to adeptly handle a pitching staff, an open mind regarding analytics and more. It’s the task of Hahn to find and attract a candidate who has all the characteristics he seeks.
After some early digging, here's what I'm hearing regarding the five most likely candidates to be the White Sox’s next manager.
1) AJ Hinch
Hinch, 46, has strong credentials despite the ugly black mark of being suspended for the 2020 season for his negligence regarding the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal in 2017, which cost him his job eventually. He led Houston to the title that season and managed there from 2015-’19. He has a 570-452 record (.558 winning percentage) as an MLB manager, which also included a two-year stint leading the Diamondbacks.
Hinch was a catcher who had a seven-year big league career himself. He has a background in both managing and scouting. In addition to his baseball acumen, he graduated from Stanford University with a psychology degree. The Tigers are also interested in Hinch as a candidate for their managerial vacancy.
2) Alex Cora
Nobody’s star was shining brighter than Cora’s after he led the Red Sox to a World Series championship as a rookie manager in 2018. A Puerto Rico native, Cora was praised as a brilliant strategist and great bilingual communicator. He also had a 14-year playing career in the big leagues.
Last winter, Cora was implicated for his role in the Astros’ cheating scandal, as he served as their bench coach in 2017. Like Hinch, Cora was hit with a one-year suspension and lost his managerial job.
Cora, 44, compiled a 192-132 record (.593) in leading the Red Sox for two years. Cora’s brother, Joey, played for the White Sox from 1991-’94 and was former manager Ozzie Guillen’s main lieutenant for eight years in Chicago.
3) Ron Washington
Washington is the Braves’ third-base coach. He has an impressive resume that includes managing the Rangers from 2007-’14 and leading them to the World Series twice.
At 68, Washington may be a bit long of the tooth for the job, but he has a comfort in analytics after working in the innovating Athletics organization in the late 1990s and early 200s. Washington is also known for developing strong relationships with players and is regarded as perhaps the best infield instructor in the game, which could potentially benefit the White Sox’s young double-play tandem of shortstop Tim Anderson and second baseman Nick Madrigal.
Washington may seem like a long shot, but he has managed on the biggest stage and has a wide-ranging experiences in the game.
4) Sandy Alomar Jr.
Alomar is the Indians’ first-year coach but served as their acting manager for most of this season as Terry Francona dealt with health issues.
Alomar, 54, has long been respected and praised throughout the game but has somehow been passed up for managerial jobs time and time again. He did good work in helping lead the Indians to a 35-25 record and a playoff berth, which should help his candidacy moving forward.
A Puerto Rico native, Alomar is bilingual, should that still be crucial to the White Sox as their young core keeps developing. Alomar was considered for a role on the White Sox’s coaching staff when they promoted Renteria to manager ahead of the 2017 season, but Alomar stayed with the Indians. Alomar had three different stints for the White Sox during his 20-year playing career.
5) Tony La Russa
La Russa is a total wild card in the White Sox's managerial search. The team plans to reach out to the Hall of Fame manager La Russa to gauge his interest in the job, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported. La Russa managed the White Sox from 1979-’86.
La Russa, 76, last managed when he led the Cardinals to a World Series title in 2011. La Russa has three championships to his name as a manager, leading the Athletics to a title in 1989 before the Cardinals achieved it in 2006 and 2011.
La Russa has a close relationship with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, a bond that has remained for decades. In recent years, La Russa has worked for the Red Sox and Angels in an advisory role.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.