With Rick Renteria out as manager, the Chicago White Sox front office will have to decide whom to hire as the new man at the helm. General Manager Rick Hahn expressed in a press conference that the team was going to pursue a manager with "championship experience" though it's hard to nail down on what exactly that means. While it's not specific, what it does mean is that the front office is looking for someone who is going to be able to take the team to the next level, a World Series title and hopefully more with sustained long-term success. That being said, let's take a look at candidates that have been rumored to be interviewed or have reportedly been named.
A.J. Hinch
If anyone exemplifies what the front office is looking for, Hinch is that exact guy. Hinch helped lead the Houston Astros to four playoff berths, three American League Championship appearances, two American League pennants, and a World Series championship. What more do you need? Hinch seems like the perfect fit here as he fits the criteria. However, that's not to say that he doesn't come with any baggage as the Astros cheating scandal hangs over him like a dark cloud. While he professes that he did not agree with the cheating, Hinch seemingly did not try to stop it. So, that suggests that Hinch may not be that strong of a leader with players essentially going behind his back to cheat.
Alex Cora
Cora is another candidate that has been talked about possibly taking the reins. Cora was on Hinch's coaching staff for Houston's World Series victory in 2017 and also helped lead the Boston Red Sox as the manager to a 2018 championship. Cora is also fluent in both English and Spanish, so clearly he can communicate better with his players than most managers. Seems like another good fit right? Well, just like Hinch, that cheating scandal is baggage that no one wants. However, Cora's baggage is a lot worse as he was the one leading the Houston cheating scandal in 2017, but what's worse is he also brought that to Boston when he became the Red Sox manager. Cheating in two places is never good and that might be a good reason to stay away from Cora.
Sandy Alomar Jr
Alomar is an intriguing prospect as he has long been touted for being a future manager. Being a coach under Cleveland Indians' manager Terry Francona also helps the understanding of what it takes to manage a baseball team. However, he's also managed the Indians while Francona dealt with health problems in 2020 and was the interim in 2012 so he's got experience. That being said does he fit the criteria that Hahn outlined? That's where things get tricky as Alomar Jr has not won a World Series. While Cleveland has been to the playoffs five times with three AL Central Division championships with him as a coach, does that constitute championship experience? He might not be the right candidate.
Tony La Russa
La Russa has been rumored to be a candidate and already has been interviewed, but is he really that serious of a candidate? He does fit that bill of championship experience having won championships with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals and he has familiarity with the Sox organization having been the manager in the 1980s. However, there's one big problem: he hasn't managed since 2011. With the ever changing landscape with how baseball has become, will La Russa be able to adjust to the new wave of analytics? La Russa is also 76 years old, that's another factor against him. Maybe he should have front office job where he could consult whoever the new manager is, but hiring La Russa seems like hiring based on the past and not a good idea.
Bruce Bochy
Bochy is another name that fits that criteria perfectly. Bochy was even keeled in his approach as manager of the San Francisco Giants as he lead them to three World Series championships in 2010, '12, and '14. There might not be any concern with him adjusting to the analytics aspect of the game, especially considering he managed until 2019. However, there is the issue with him as his health problems made him retired. He might want to enjoy his retirement, but he has expressed interest in returning.
A.J. Pierzynski
Pierzynski is probably not a serious candidate considering he doesn't have any experience managing let alone any coaching experience. However, Pierzynski is a fiery personality who helped lead the Sox to a World Series title in 2005 and that could be a good sign that he would be a great leader. Whether Pierzynski is willing to integrate analytics into his managing is to be determined, but he is a smart individual and that helps a lot. If Pierzynski could get a coaching position in the majors or a managing job in the minors, that would've helped his chances here.
Matt Quataro
Quataro has been a name thrown around, but like Alomar Jr, he has been an interesting prospect in becoming a manager. Quataro is the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays and that could help his chances a lot as he works for an organization that uses analytics to perfection. He could bring a lot of what Tampa Bay did over to the Sox. Quataro also has spent time working for Cleveland, so he knows what it takes to win. However, similar to Alomar Jr, Quataro doesn't have that managerial experience needed. So he doesn't quite meet that criteria. Now, he could still be hired by the club, but not likely as manager.
Joe Espada
Espada is another bench coach listed on here that could be a serious candidate here. Espada was actually someone who interviewed for the Chicago Cubs job that eventually went to David Ross, so clearly people in the industry think highly of him. Espada is currently the bench coach for Houston, but he replaced Cora so his candidacy is not tainted. Espada has been a part of those Astros teams that have made the ALCS for three of the four times they made it to that round, so he knows what winning is. However, just like Alomar Jr and Quataro, Espada really doesn't fit that criteria the team is looking for. While he could be a future manager soon, he probably won't be the guy at the helm for the Sox.
Who is likely to manage the team: Hinch. Sure, he comes with baggage, but he also fits that criteria that was outlined. The front office is looking for that splashy hire and from someone outside the organization, all of that points towards Hinch being hired. Sure, there might be some talented candidates who could take the team to the next level, but the team is looking for that big name who will. It almost seems obvious at this point. Now the Sox could hire a big name who is not listed on here too, so it will be interesting to see whom they will have as manager for 2021.
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