Latest News On The White Sox Managerial Search

The White Sox list of candidates for the managerial job is reportedly down to four. But in order to get their top candidate the White Sox are going to have to overcome a little competition from the Miami Marlins. 

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported on Monday that Daniel Descalso was the latest coach to be ruled out of the running. Descalso’s coaching experience is limited. His coaching experience has been limited. Following his retirement from the MLB in 2021, Descalso worked in the Diamondbacks front office. He moved from the front office to the dugout last offseason when Cardinals manager Oli Marmol offered him an opportunity to serve as his bench coach. Given what Getz is looking for in the position and what he already has with interim manager Grady Sizemore, it makes sense why Descalso is no longer in the mix. 

With Descalso out the remaining candidates appear to be Sizemore, Phil Nevin, Will Venable, and Craig Albernaz. Both Albernaz and Venable are the Marlins two finalists for their manager vacancy, according to a report from Craig Mish. 

Venable has been linked to the position for several weeks. His championship experience as an associate manager under Bruce Bochy is exactly what Chris Getz is looking to bring into the White Sox clubhouse. Venable is a well-respected baseballmind and has already turned down several managing opportunities.

Albernaz wrapped up his first season in the Guardians dugout after spending the 2019-2022 seasons as the San Fransisco Giants bullpen and catching coach. His time with the Giants gives him connections to White Sox senior pitching advisor Brian Bannister, who served as the director of pitching in San Francisco during Albernaz's three seasons in the Bay Area.

Albernaz seems like the favorite for the Marlins job. Many believe that Venable is next in line for the Rangers job once Bruce Bochy retires. During the Rangers' 2023 postseason run, he declined an opportunity to interview for the Met’s job. Seeing that he didn’t want to manage the Mets it seems unlikely he would want to leave for the White Sox or Marlins organization. 

If Albernaz does take the Marlins job that would leave Sizemore and Nevin. Nevin was handed the Angels lineup card after Joe Madden was fired in June of the 2022 season. He was awarded a one-year extension after posting a 46-59 record to close out the season. In 2023 the Angels went 73-89 which was not enough for the Angels front office for another season. He interviewed for the Padres managerial job this offseason but has not been in an MLB dugout since parting ways with the Angels. 

Sizemore received rave reviews from players, who even sported shirts with his likeness for pregame warmups. However, while the team still showed fight the rest of the season he did little to improve the win-loss record. While winning games with the 2024 White Sox was an unenviable task, Sizemore did show the ability to connect with the players. Considering he was an intern the season before, he did an admirable job as the interim skipper.

A decision is expected within the next week.