With rumors swirling about one managerial candidate, we now have confirmation of a meeting.
According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN, Ozzie Guillen formally interviewed with the White Sox on Monday for their manager vacancy. Rojas reported that this week’s meeting was the second to occur, as Guillen supposedly met with Jerry Reinsdorf before speaking with general manager Rick Hahn and Co.
After this initial report, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times followed up by saying that Guillen, himself, confirmed last week’s formal interview. The White Sox beat writer also suggested that a managerial decision could come this week, especially with the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas the following week. Though the team could wait until after the World Series to make a decision based on other candidates involved, Guillen would be fair game to announce before that point.
Guillen, 58, became the first Latino manager to win a World Series after the White Sox’s dominant postseason run in 2005. Following eight years at the helm (2004-11), the Venezuelan native was traded to Miami in September 2011, where his stint came to an end the following October after making controversial comments related to Fidel Castro. He’s since become a fixture on the pregame and postgame shows, though he’s occasionally expressed his desire to return to the dugout.
The supposed list of available managerial candidates currently sits at four: Miguel Cairo, Ron Washington, Pedro Grifol, and Guillen. Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long has also been a name thrown around, though it’s not yet clear if he’s met with the team. Astros bench coach Joe Espada was another name in the running, but a recent report says he’s out of the race for unspecified reasons. The Royals also went and hired Rays bench coach Matt Quartraro, someone who is said to have interviewed for the Sox gig as well.
With a decision likely coming by next week, we will continue to provide coverage here and on social media @SoxOn35th.
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