General manager Chris Getz laid out some of the criteria the Chicago White Sox are aiming for in their next manager.
“We’re looking for someone that understands the situation that we’re presently in, that is up for the challenge,” Getz said before Tuesday’s game. “I’m looking for a partner in this to help lead this organization.
“That comes in different forms. We built out our criteria, we’ve looked at the desired outcomes, we’ve got a deep candidate pool, and we’ll work through that and we’ll find the best fit for us.”
The next skipper will have a lot of work to do.
The Sox had 120 losses entering Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field — tied with the 1962 New York Mets for the most defeats in a season during Major League Baseball’s modern era.
Getz said Tuesday that interim manager Grady Sizemore is “in consideration.”
“He has a lot of traits that we’re looking for,” Getz said. “But we certainly want to go through a full process before we make any sort of decision.”
Sizemore’s focus was on completing the 2024 season.
“I don’t have too many thoughts about it right now,” Sizemore said. “Just worried about finishing out this season strong. Obviously, I like everything about this organization. I like the opportunity that they’ve given me.
“I want to continue what I’ve started and be a part of this in any way that I can and just try to help turn this organization around, as fast as we can.”
The Sox have gone 8-31 since Sizemore took over for Pedro Grifol in August.
“He’s done a very good job, from our evaluation, and we feel like he deserves to be in consideration,” Getz said. “I can’t say that he’s got a leg up on anyone, because it is going to be a deep process and we’re going to find someone that’s the best fit for us. But he deserves to be in the conversation.”
Sizemore has received praise from Sox players.
“Grady’s been great,” first baseman/designated hitter Gavin Sheets said. “Keeps a positive attitude and positive atmosphere in here. Really good to play for. And obviously he’s played this game. He understands what it’s like to be in between the lines, he understands how difficult this is on everybody right now.
“This is unfortunately a historic time, so no one really knows what it’s like until you’re in this spot. He’s done a really good job.”
Getz said that other than Sizemore being part of the process, “We’re still focused mainly outside the organization and on someone who’s in uniform.”
Aiding in the development of players at the major-league level will be a “strong component of what we’re looking for for the next manager,” Getz said.
“When it comes to development of players, it certainly is something that needs to regularly be applied at the major-league level, regardless of the state of an organization,” Getz said. “Now perhaps in this case, the development background and ability is going to be more meaningful.”
As Getz has previously mentioned regarding a timeline, the Sox are not rushing into anything.
“As we reach the end of the season and contact other clubs and working through a permission process, we’re going to be able to work at a White Sox pace — obviously at the mercy of other clubs that are potentially in the playoffs and you want to respect those situations,” Getz said. “Timeline wise, I would expect certainly at some point late October, early November.”
Getz isn’t concerned “at all” that this season’s record will impact the number of interested candidates.
“The process will take care of itself,” he said. “We need someone who understands our current situation, is up for the challenge. There are a lot of people in this game who want to be part of something special, and this is a tremendous opportunity to build something that can make our fans really happy and proud to have the ability to follow the White Sox back into playoff contention and eventually fighting for a World Series.”
