Chicago White Sox might look outside organization for next manager

Time to let the speculation begin as to who the next manager of the Chicago White Sox will be in 2023. Now that it is official that Tony La Russa will not be back to finish out the year on the bench for the White Sox, Bob Nightengale is reporting the organization is a house divided as to who, if anyone, should replace the Hall of Fame manager next season.

According to Nightengale, the are varying opinions within the organization as to whether La Russa should return as manager, be moved into an office position, have interim manager Miguel Cairo take over the team or look outside the club for La Russa’s replacement.

It’s the last option that had Nightengale wondering if the White Sox would reach out to former San Franciso Giants manager Bruce Bochy. The three-time World Series winning manager was reportedly owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s second choice had La Russa not taken the job in 2020.

Bochy’s resume is certainly Hall of Fame worthy as he led the San Diego Padres to a pennant back in 1998 before taking over the Giants in 2007 and leading them to World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Prior to his retirement in 2019, Bochy posted a 2003-2029 record over 25 years as a manager.

The Chicago White Sox could go for another Hall of Fame type manager in 2023.

Before La Russa’s hiring, Bochy didn’t exactly petition to get the White Sox job but he didn’t reject the notion of returning to the dugout. His willingness to listen to offers at the time suggested he could be swayed to get back into the game if the situation was right.

Earlier this year, Nightengale reported both the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies tossed Bochy’s name around as a possible replacement for Joe Maddon and Joe Girardi when both were fired after each team struggled to begin the season.

Bochy managed to keep his bench skills in tune as he signed on to lead team France in a World Baseball Classic qualifier earlier this month. Team France was eliminated after losing to Great Britain and the Czech Republic.

What the White Sox decide to do going into next season is anyone’s guess. Not only will a decision about who will manage the team need to be made but discussions about the future of the current roster could be forthcoming as well.

Since being knocked out of the playoff picture, questions have arisen as to whether or not it is time to sell off some assets and retool or give the roster another crack at winning a championship.

Based on how disappointing of a season this has been for the White Sox, it will be very interesting to see who will and won’t be around for the start of the 2023 campaign.