3 potential replacements for Pedro Grifol as White Sox manager
The Chicago White Sox had a horrible year in 2023. They were as terrible (61-101) as they've ever been in franchise history. This was supposed to be a contending year which makes things even worse.
It is one thing to be that bad when it is by design but they were trying to be good. Instead, they were a joke in every way. The players were bad and the people responsible for them being on the roster were worse but they aren't the only ones to blame.
The White Sox hired Pedro Grifol to be the new manager after Tony La Russa left. TLR was bad too but he wasn't nearly as terrible as Grifol. This is someone that needs to be fired after one year. Whether the White Sox will do it or not remains to be seen but they should.
If the White Sox did actually make a move like this, there are some options out there for them to consider. These are the three that they can consider hiring:
1. Ozzie Guillen
The Chicago White Sox can bring Ozzie Guillen back for a year or two.
The Chicago White Sox is a team that has had some bad managers over the last handful of years. In fact, nobody has really been a truly good manager since Ozzie Guillen.
Of course, Guillen won the World Series with the White Sox in 2005. He is the only living person who can say that they managed a White Sox team to a World Series championship.
There were some rumors that he'd be the guy last time around but they went with Pedro Grifol instead. If anything, Guillen would make this team more accountable for their actions.
He clearly, from watching the postgame shows, cares about this team to his core and wants to see them win. He should be an option they consider right now.
2. Gabe Kapler
The Chicago White Sox should consider hiring someone like Gabe Kapler.
The Chicago White Sox need to consider someone on the younger side that has been good. Gabe Kapler is someone that might be able to help them.
He has previously managed the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. The Giants let him go here in 2023 after they were a bit underwhelming.
The Giants did have one incredible year under Kapler though as they led the league in wins during the 2021 season. His team got a little old on paper as time went on which makes the lack of playoff success look obvious.
If he came to a team like the White Sox, he might be able to help them try to take a step. If the team plans on trying to contend again in 2024, right or wrong, Kapler should be someone that they consider.
There are plenty of players on this team that would benefit from the 2021 Manager of the Year. He has a lot of experience as a player too which includes a World Series title with the 2004 Boston Red Sox.
As a manager, he is 456-411 for a .526 winning percentage. Going over .500 is not in the White Sox blood so Kapler might be able to help them get there.
3. Craig Counsell
The Chicago White Sox should consider interviewing Craig Counsell.
The Milwaukee Brewers have had some good years with Craig Counsell as their manager. It never came out that he is out as Brewers manager but his contract is up and nothing has been said.
However, he is reportedly going to interview for the New York Mets job as they fired Buck Showalter at the end of their season. Of course, going to the Mets would bring Counsell back under David Stearns who was with the Brewers until now.
If that somehow falls through and he decides to leave Milwaukee, the Chicago White Sox should be all over it. Bringing in a guy like that who has been good recently is a better idea than keeping Grifol who does not deserve to be this team's manager.
Counsell is 707-625 as a Major League manager. Bringing in a guy who wins more than he loses is and isn't a decade removed from the game is something that they should consider this time around.
Again, it is not a lock that they move on from Grifol. However, if they want to win in 2024, they need to do this and move on. One of these guys would be fun.
Next. The 15 worst contracts in Chicago White Sox history. dark