Shortly after finding out Bruce Bochy will not be the next manager of the White Sox, reports regarding two additional managerial candidates have surfaced.
According to multiple sources, Sean Anderson of CHGO and Adam Abdalla of ESPN Chicago, the White Sox have supposedly conducted interviews with both Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro and former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
Since this article was published, NBC Sports Chicago provided further clarity later in the afternoon by saying that Guillen has only had preliminary discussions with the team. However, an interview has been scheduled for sometime next week to discuss the team’s opening.
This brings the list of known managerial interviews up to six: Miguel Cairo, Braves’ third base coach Ron Washington, Astros’ bench coach Joe Espada, Royals’ bench coach Pedro Grifol, Quatraro, and Guillen.
Quatraro has been a popular name this offseason and has recently been interviewed by the Royals for their managerial opening. When it comes to analytically-driven franchises, there really is no better place to turn than the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt Quatraro, 48, has been a name connected to managerial openings for several years. He has been the bench coach for Kevin Cash since 2018, and before that, spent time with the Cleveland Guardians (assistant hitting coach). Within the Rays’ organization, Quatraro has also served as the minor league hitting coordinator (2010-2013).
Previously, it had been reported that Guillen had “not been ruled out” as the next White Sox manager, according to Bruce Levine. However, it appears that things go a little bit further than that for the fan-favorite choice for manager. Guillen, in the past, has not been shy about his desire to potentially manage the club. He recently said on NBC Sports Chicago that he is interested in “listening” to the White Sox if they reach out, though doesn’t necessarily consider the job to be in his future plans.
“It is not in my plans. I don’t know if it is in the White Sox’ plans,” Guillen said on NBC Sports Chicago. “Even if they think I can help them for next year, I’m very open to listening to it.”
With Bochy’s hiring today, it appears that teams aren’t necessarily going to wait until the end of the playoffs to name their managers if they are currently available. The longer this process continues for the White Sox, the more it would appear names such as Kevin Long (Phillies), Washington, or Espada would be getting more consideration for the role. No matter the conflicting reports, one thing remains clear: this time, the White Sox are truly conducting a league-wide managerial search that can be described as anything but insular.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates.
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- Joe Espada latest betting favorite for next White Sox manager (Oct. 20)
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- Ozzie Guillen new betting favorite for next White Sox manager (Oct. 7)
- Bruce Bochy tops early odds for next White Sox manager (Oct. 6)
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