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Chicago White Sox: 3 most likely Tony La Russa replacements

By Vincent Parise |
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
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It sounds like the Chicago White Sox are really doing their due diligence when it comes to searching for their new manager. Tony La Russa did a terrible job in 2022 and now they don’t have to deal with it anymore.

La Russa left due to a medical issue in August and the team got better right away. It wasn’t until they were completely out that they fell apart toward the end. If they made a move earlier in the year, it might have had a different ending.

Now, they are moving on. There have been plenty of interviews and rumors surrounding this search and a few of them are promising.

This is a team that needs a completely different vibe. Based on everything that we know at this point in time, these are the three most likely candidates to be hired:

1. Ozzie Guillen

We know that Ozzie Guillen has had some interviews and will have more later in the week. He is the only living person that has won a World Series as a White Sox manager as he did so in 2005. It would be a very interesting story for everyone in baseball if he returned.

Ozzie knows this team better than any candidate. That doesn’t make him the best candidate but he certainly knows the players better than everyone else. He has a close relationship with a lot of them away from the game and he has watched almost every one of their games in recent memory.

Of course, Guillen currently serves as an analyst on NBC Sports Chicago doing the pregame and postgame shows. If he made this move back into the manager’s chair, it would be very fun to see if he can bring a new life to this squad as he did in 2005.

Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Mike Schildt

The Chicago White Sox might be considering a manager like Mike Schildt.

The last time the Chicago White Sox hired a former St. Louis Cardinals manager, it went miserable for them. Yes, that is in reference to Tony La Russa who did not have much life with the White Sox in his short tenure with the team. That was not a good time.

However, that does not mean that the White Sox should stay away from the Cardinals organization when it comes to hiring a former manager. There are a few out there that might make sense for the White Sox. That is an organization that has celebrated a lot of wins in its history.

Mike Schildt is a former White Sox manager to consider. He was let go on mutual terms a couple of years ago and it was a surprise to the entire baseball world. It seemed like things were going well there and we still don’t really know why they parted ways.

If he does end up coming back to the managing ranks, the White Sox would be a great fit. This is still a roster that hasn’t reached his potential and Schildt has helped some other teams grow into their potential before. Keep him on your radar as the White Sox lock down a decision.

(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3. Joe Espada

The Chicago White Sox might have an elite manager sitting right in front of them.

Ozzie Guillen and Mike Schildt have both proven that they can win big games in Major League Baseball. There is actual evidence of them doing so which makes them intriguing. However, sometimes someone just needs a chance.

Joe Espada is currently the bench coach of the Houston Astros under Dusty Baker. They are in the World Series yet again and have made it to the ALCS at minimum in every year that Espada has been the bench coach.

The last time a Houston bench coach was hired to be a manager, Alex Cora became a World Series-winning manager one year later. Now, he is one of the best in the game. Espada replaced him and has done a great job.

If anyone should get the job as a first-time manager, it should be this man. He is going to be a Major League manager very soon so it might as well be with the White Sox who desperately need a boost from their manager.

All three of these guys can help the White Sox in different ways. We don’t know for sure if it is going to be one of these guys but it seems like these three have the best chance at this point in time. We should know very soon.

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