2024-09-25 14:30:03
CHICAGO — Grady Sizemore’s interim status as manager could change with the White Sox.
There’s at least a possibility for that title to become permanent, as White Sox general manager Chris Getz put Sizemore in consideration for the opening during an extensive pregame media session prior to Tuesday’s series opener with the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field.
When Sizemore originally was announced as Pedro Grifol’s interim replacement on Aug. 8, he was set to guide the team from Aug. 9 against the Cubs through the remainder of the season but not beyond.
“Grady is in consideration,” Getz said. “He has a lot of traits that we’re looking for. But we certainly want to go through a full process before we make any sort of decision.”
“I don’t have too many thoughts about it right now. Just worried about finishing out this season strong,” Sizemore said. “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.”
Sizemore has an 8-31 record as White Sox manager, but players have responded to him and morale has improved for a group that worked through an American League record-tying 21-game losing streak that was halted in the series before Sizemore was hired. Getz originally had talked about looking for candidates in uniform, outside the organization.
“As a staff, as a whole, we’ve kind of already had those discussions, what we think the best way to turn it around is,” Sizemore said. “How we want to approach Spring Training, what we would emphasize, what we would get better at, what our strengths and weaknesses are.
“We’ve already kind of had those brainstorming ideas of how to move forward and what the best path is. But we also know that it’s not a guarantee. We don’t really know what tomorrow is going to look like or next year, so we’ve had those talks, but we’re still kind of focused on the here and the now.”
Getz made it clear Sizemore did not have a leg up in the hiring process. He felt good about said process that they’ve built out, with a long list of candidates. Getz’s goal is to find a co-partner in this rebuild, eventually leading to contention, as an extension of the front office while leading the players and the organization.
No timetable was put on the hiring, with Getz giving a rough guess of late October, early November.
“We’re not rushing into anything,” Getz said. “As we reach the end of the season and contact other clubs and work 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. You want to respect those situations.”
Sergio Santos, who has guided Double-A Birmingham one win away from the Southern League title, would seem to be a good candidate, as would Justin Jirschele, currently serving as third-base coach on Sizemore’s staff after managing Triple-A Charlotte. But other than Sizemore, Getz was sticking to his process outside the organization.
“There’s a lot left in the tank in there. There’s a lot of hope,” said Sizemore of the White Sox chance to move away from the debacle that has been the last two seasons. “We’re not that far off.
“We still have a lot of work to do and there’s a lot of development that needs to go on. But I see the promise.”
