3 internal options for Tony La Russa's replacement in 2023

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Tony La Russa has been missing from the Chicago White Sox dugout for the last couple of weeks because of an unspecified medical reason.

He has gone through extended testing back home in Arizona but nobody knows exactly what is going on. Of course, no matter what happens on the field, we all want Tony to be okay.

On Thursday there was a story out there about the fact that Tony might resume his duties sometime soon. That would certainly be an interesting decision by the White Sox considering what the team has done since he has left.

Regardless of what happens in 2022, the White Sox might make a change ahead of 2023. If they do, these in-house candidates would be of great consideration as his replacement:

1. Miguel Cairo

Miguel Cairo has done a great job in Tony La Russa’s shoes since he’s been out.

The top option internally is always going to be Miguel Cairo. He is the current bench coach that has been the acting manager since La Russa’s departure. Since taking over this year, he has a record of 7-3 and the White Sox have scored a lot of runs.

Since La Russa has been hired, Cairo is 9-3 between the two years as he had two games as the acting manager in 2021 as well. Nobody knows why but the boys get up to play a little bit harder when he is behind the bench.

That is why allowing La Russa to come back in 2022 would be an extremely questionable decision. However, deciding if Cairo is the guy going forward is something that needs to be discussed. He wouldn’t have been in the mix before any of this recent news but he has done so well to be considered a candidate.

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

2. Julio Mosquera

Julio Mosquera is someone to consider as a Tony La Russa replacement next year.

The Chicago White Sox might like what they’ve seen from Julio Mosquera in AAA with the Charlotte Knights. He is for sure someone to consider if you need to bring in a new manager for this team before the 2023 season starts and you stay in-house.

Mosquera was named to be the catching instructor before the start of the 2022 season but was named to be the acting manager following a leave of absence from Wes Helms. They have the worst record in their division but they don’t have a loaded team anymore.

There has also been a lot of up and downs with their roster as the White Sox have been adding and subtracting all season long. He knows a lot of the players playing with the big league club now which is also something that can benefit everyone.

A lot of the players that have gone down there from the White Sox have found success before coming back (Gavin Sheets, Romy Gonzalez, Seby Zavala, Lenyn Sosa, and Jake Burger). The coaching in Charlotte seems to be doing all the right things for them.

It might take time before the White Sox or any tea consider him for a job but if they want to stay in the organization he is going to be someone to consider. Former catchers become great managers a lot of the time and that is what could be happening with him.

3. Ozzie Guillen

Ozzie Guillen replacing Tony La Russa would be great for the Chicago White Sox.

The Chicago White Sox already won a World Series with Ozzie Guillen back in 2005. It is the greatest year in the history of the team and might always be. However, if Ozzie came back right now it might be a really good thing for this team. Everyone would love him back in the dugout.

Ozzie is currently an analyst on the pre and postgame show on NBC Sports Chicago. He is a full-time member of that team and does an amazing job with it. It is clear that he is still in tune with the game as it is in 2022 and he cares deeply about the White Sox.

It is also obvious that Ozzie still wants to manage in the league as he interviewed for the job with the San Diego Padres last offseason. He didn’t get the job but his desire to manage is still there. It would be so nice to see him come back to the team.

He is eligible to be on this list because he is, as mentioned before, still technically with the organization as a member of the pre and postgame team. He will always be a part of this team because of what he has accomplished with them both as a player and a manager.

It might be wise for the White Sox to think outside of the box but they do like to stick with their own organization with a lot of these decisions. Even Tony La Russa was a manager of the White Sox a long time ago so he was someone somewhat from the old family.

Whether it’s good or bad, they like to do it. If they did go that route again, one of these three candidates would be a great person for the job.

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3 internal options for Tony La Russa’s replacement in 2023