White Sox: 3 amazing Tony La Russa replacement options

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It has been obvious since May that the Chicago White Sox needed a new manager. However, they never acted on it and they had a wasted season instead.

Miguel Cairo took over and did a good job in La Russa’s medical absence until the team gave up on him when they were mathematically eliminated.

As a result, neither of them deserves to return to the team once the season is over. If they are going to run it back with this core, they need to make some changes in the dugout.

There are plenty of good options out there for the White Sox to consider. There are a few that are popular options amongst the fanbase and there are some that are not as much. These are three amazing options to consider:

1. Willie Harris

Willie Harris could be someone that makes a return to the Chicago White Sox.

Willie Harris is currently acting as the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs. He is someone to consider for the manager position if the team decides to actually go in the route of a former White Sox player.

Harris played for the White Sox from 2002-2005. He is a World Series champion from that 2005 season which is the highlight of his career. He bounced around the league as a depth player for a long time which makes him a very experienced smart baseball man.

If Harris was ready to make that jump from a coach to a manager, he is someone to consider. He wouldn’t have to move very far and he might be able to connect well with some of these players.

People might want them to avoid former White Sox players but this man has the coaching experience needed to take that step.

Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Mike Schildt

The Chicago White Sox could consider a different former Cardinals manager.

The Chicago White Sox already went the route of a former St. Louis Cardinals manager once before and it didn’t work out. However, there are some big differences between hiring Tony La Russa and hiring Mike Schildt to hire this White Sox core.

Schildt and the Cardinals went their separate ways in 2021 despite making the playoffs three times in three tries as the full-time manager. When he was let go, it was a big-time shock to the baseball world as he was nothing but successful there.

We don’t know what philosophical differences the Cardinals and Schildt had but the White Sox should certainly check in on that. He has recent experience managing a great Major League team which is something that the White Sox desperately needs.

Schildt is young (54) for a manager that has accomplished so much. He has a career-winning percentage of .559, the aforementioned playoff experience, and a Manager of the Year Award. All of these things are a reason for the White Sox to consider him during the offseason.

If the White Sox hired Schildt, it might not take him long to make an impact. He would be inheriting a lot of talent and looking to take the next step.

3. Sandy Alomar Jr.

Sandy Alomar Jr. would be an amazing fit as the Chicago White Sox manager.

As mentioned before, the White Sox love their former players. Sandy Alomar Jr. played with the White Sox for parts of five seasons. He was a very good player that saw him have six All-Star appearances (with an All-Star Game MVP), a Gold Glove, and a Rookie of the Year Award.

He was better than a depth player but he wasn’t a superstar either. Those are the payers that often become the best managers in the game. If the White Sox hired a guy like that, it might work out for them right away.

Alomar Jr. is currently the first base coach for the Cleveland Guardians who the Chicago White Sox know well. They came in and took the AL Central from the White Sox in a very embarrassing (for Chicago) fashion.

Coaching under Terry Francona has to have helped Alomar Jr. learn a thing or two about managing and now would be a great time for him to make that jump. Francona is the best coach in the MLB right now in the opinion of a lot of people so getting his guy might be a good idea.

The Guardians are going to play in the playoffs which might also help Alomar Jr. learn some things as well. It is a nice thought but the White Sox would have to pry him out of a good situation. It is certainly something for both of them to wonder about.

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