As the White Sox sit in last place in the MLB by 6.0 games, with a 21-57 record, en route to one of the franchise’s worst seasons in history, change is almost certainly on the horizon.
Some speculate that coach Pedro Grifol’s job situation remains unclear after the 2024 season. And according to a new report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox internally have a name in mind for his future replacement, should he be chosen. leave
“While Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol’s future is uncertain after this season, one name floating around internally as a possible replacement in 2025 is Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker,” Nightengale wrote on Sunday.
Schumaker, 44, is the current manager of the Marlins, who share the bottom of the standings with the White Sox with the second-worst record in baseball (26-50).
The former fifth-round pick in the 2001 MLB entry Draft played 11 seasons in the majors. Predominantly, Schumaker played the first eight seasons of his Cardinals career under Tony La Russa, the former White Sox manager who “will be an integral part of the decision-making process,” according to Nightengale.
Schumaker began his post-playing career with the Padres as a first base coach beginning in 2017. He was promoted to associate manager prior to the 2020 season. In 2021, he was hired as the Cardinals’ bench coach. Schumaker replaced Don Mattingly as Marlins manager in 2022.
Grifol, who is managing his second season with the White Sox in his first managerial role, says the speculation comes with territory for a team that recently set the franchise’s longest losing streak at 14 games.
“That’s part of the job. Right? I don’t focus on those things. It’s part of the job,” Grifol said. “We’re not winning. So when we’re not winning, the speculation gets higher and higher. It’s part of what we do. We sign up to win baseball games. And when you don’t, there’s always the possibility that a trade is being made. “
Grifol has a 76-147 record as captain of the White Sox. He came to Chicago having worked in the Kansas City Royals organization since 2013, most recently as a bench coach. He served in many roles with the Royals, including assistant hitting coach and catching instructor.
Former general manager Rick Hahn and vice president Kenny Williams, who hired Grifol, are gone, and with speculation swirling, Grifol chooses not to let that worry take over his mind.
“I don’t make those decisions. And I’m certainly not going to worry about it,” Grifol said. “My concern is making sure this team is ready to play tonight, making adjustments from yesterday and trying to see if we can break this losing streak. That’s not fun. Extremely painful because we’ve lost some painful games. But I’m certainly not I’m going to make this about me and my future here. I’m not going to decide that anyway.
FURTHER: Pedro Grifol addresses speculation about his questionable job security
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