2 White Sox staff members who could be poached by Phillies, Athletics this offseason

The White Sox 2026 Cinderella story didn’t have the happy ending that many fans hoped for. After a heartbreaking defeat Saturday night, the White Sox failed to advance to the ALCS after taking a 2-0 lead in the series. It’s a tough outcome that nobody wanted, but it’s hard to be upset with what this team accomplished. Chris Getz put together a talented young team who loves playing together, but it’s not just the players who got them this far. Sweeping changes to the front office and coaching staff have set the White Sox on the right course, and some of the staff members may even be on the radar of other teams as the offseason begins. Here are two White Sox staff members who could be headed elsewhere for a promotion in 2027. 

Bench Coach Walker McKinven

A Chicagoland native, Walker McKinven took over as bench coach when the White Sox hired Will Venable prior to the 2025 season. A college baseball player at Binghampton Universtiy, McKinven got his first job in pro baseball with the Cubs in 2013 before joining the Rangers for a year and ultimately catching on with Milwaukee in 2016. McKinven spent four years as a scout with the Brewers before a promotion to the coaching staff in 2020. He spent four years as the Associate Pitching, Catching, and Strategy coach and took on the title of Run Prevention Coordinator in 2024. Following the 2024 season, McKinven joined the White Sox as a bench coach, where he’s spent the past two seasons. With the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and possibly others in the market for a new manager, McKinven could be a candidate to receive interviews. It’s common for bench coaches to become managers and talking with the bench coach of the most surprising team in baseball seems like a good idea. Whether McKinven is interested in leaving should a managerial opportunity arise is not yet known, but the White Sox would have big shoes to fill if he does. 

Assistant GM Josh Barfield

It’s not only the coaching staff that’s responsible for the White Sox improvement in 2026, but the front office as well. GM Chris Getz has put together an excellent staff, and among the biggest contributors is Assistant GM Josh Barfield. Barfield, 43, played parts of four big league seasons with San Diego and Cleveland and has since shifted into the scouting world. He joined the Diamondbacks as a scout in 2016 and was promoted to Director of Player Development, a position he held during Arizona’s run to the World Series in 2023. Following that run, Barfield joined the White Sox as an assistant General Manager, a position he’s held for the past three seasons. While his first two didn’t go great, he’s been an instrumental part of the turnaround in 2026, and seems to be well-liked by players. He's reportedly already had conversations with teams in the past. With the Athletics casting a wide net in their search for a new GM, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Barfield is among their list of candidates. 

The White Sox will already need to figure out how to replace Amateur Scouting Director Mike Shirley this offseason, and he may not be the only staff member on their way out. Fortunately, Chris Getz has done an excellent job of bringing in smart people so far, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue.

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