White Sox Expected To Name Royals' Pedro Grifol Next Manager: Report

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have managed to remain under the radar when it comes to hiring a new manager to replace Tony La Russa.

Although a few names have remained in play, including former Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who was rumored to have interviewed for the job twice last week, the Sox have played things close to the vest as to who they are targeting to take over the club.

But on Tuesday, multiple reports on Tuesday indicated that the Sox will hire Kansas City Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol as their new manager. ESPN’s Buster Olney was the first to report that Grifol — who has spent the past 10 years with the Royals — is the Sox pick.

Grifol, 52, recently interviewed for the Royals managerial opening, but the Royals opted instead to hire Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro instead. Olney reported that the Sox could make the hiring official as early as Friday.

The Sox have been searching for a manager since La Russa announced his retirement after two years on the job in Chicago. La Russa was hired by Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who tabbed the Hall of Fame manager as the right pick to lead a team of talented players. But after the Sox failed to make the playoffs in a season in which health issues prevented La Russa from finishing out the season, La Russa announced he would not return to the dugout in 2023.

La Russa acknowledged that he "did not do his job" during his second stint on Chicago's South Side, which included a division championship in 2021. While the Sox were hampered with injuries this season when they were expected to contend for a World Series championship, the team faltered under La Russa, who took the brunt of the blame for his team's shortcomings.

That opened the door for speculation as to who may replace him. Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada, former big-league manager Ron Washington and Guillen were named as possible replacements, as was New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza.

Guillen, who guided the Sox to the 2005 World Series championship, was never seen as a serious choice for the job, leaving speculation that the Sox would target someone currently working for a team in the World Series.

Grifol spent 12 years with the Seattle Mariners organization before joining the Royals in 2013.