His [Kenny Williams] revelation that virtually silent but sound coach Harold Baines will play a greater role on the next coaching staff is a step in the right direction.
Or the new hitting coach? I think both positions require more communication though than 1st base coach though.
Other White Sox links:
Source: Francona's sudden availability does not change #WhiteSox's focus. GM Williams continues to work off original short list. #MLB—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 01, 2011
Sources confirmed to me that the White Sox have no interest in hiring Terry Francona. They are already well down the road on original list.—
David Kaplan (@thekapman) October 01, 2011
Dave martinez seems to be a name connected to #chisox. Nothing firm. But rays' run helps. sandy alomar should get look, too.—
Jon Heyman (@SI_JonHeyman) October 02, 2011
UPDATE: Rosenthal:
General manager Ken Williams continues to work off his short list, the source said. Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, according to a second source, is at the top of that list. Martinez, a former outfielder, played for the White Sox from 1995 to ’97.
The White Sox also like Yankees bench coach Tony Pena, but Martinez is their No. 1 target, the second source said. Both Martinez and Pena currently are unavailable; their respective teams are in the post-season.
[Sergio] Santos, 28, and the White Sox agreed on a three-year, $8.25 million deal, with club options for 2015-17. Under the terms of the agreement, Santos will earn $1 million in 2012, $2.75 million in 2013 and $3.75 million in 2014. The club option for 2015 stands at $6 million, with an $8 million option for 2016 and an $8.75 million option in 2017. If any of the three club options are declined, then Santos receives a $750,000 buyout.
The deal covers Santos’ final pre-arbitration year and the first two arbitration years. The three 1-year options cover the final arbitration year and the first two free-agent years. That’s a very good deal for the Sox. Fangraphs says Sergio was worth $7.3 million this year. Sergio must stay away from Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, and Jake Peavy. Kenny did good.
It's not impossible that Francona lands with White Sox, but I hear they don't want to pay big $$$ for mgr, unless it's Tony—
(@DKnobler) September 30, 2011
UPDATE:
@kwallace23 Don't think he was ever truly "passed over" by #WhiteSox. Still believe he's too costly to manage Sox. Davey is top choice—
Brett Ballantini (@CSNChi_Beatnik) September 30, 2011
UPDATE #2:
Davey 50%/Sandy 35%/Tito 15% RT @acefaulk: @CSNChi_Beatnik chances Francona comes to Chicago??—
Brett Ballantini (@CSNChi_Beatnik) September 30, 2011
Guillen also didn’t care for sabermetrics, and many of the Sox’s number crunchers avoided the dugout during pregame batting practice, which used to be their hangout in previous years.
Tension between Guillen and Williams in past years didn’t help, but that was secondary to Guillen’s wish for more money and security – in that order.
Good riddance!
Brett Ballantini wrote about the money factor too:
While Guillen spoke often about knowing his worth and needing more money to continue managing the White Sox (“f— more years—I want more money”), he would not be happy simply with a raise for next season, telling me directly that he needs both additional years and more money.
Joe Frisaro reports Ozzie’s deal with the Marlins is a 4-year, $10 million contract while he was earning $1.8 million a year with the Sox.
Remember when Ozzie said he loves the Sox more than anyone? Yeah…
Other White Sox links:
Williams was extremely candid during the sit down, telling us that he had offered to step down as Sox GM on multiple occasions and that he would “work within the organization if that was what chairman Jerry Reinsdorf felt was best for the franchise.”
However, Reinsdorf has committed to Williams to be the man to fix a team that woefully underachived this season.
“So much so that on a couple of separate occasions I went to Jerry Reinsdorf and I said, ‘Hey listen, If I’m the cog here in the machinery that’s a problem let’s talk about a transition thing because I love the organization, and I got value here and in the scouting world. I’d like to stick around a little bit. Put another banner up there, so if I’m the one here that is the cog that’s a problem let’s figure it out.’ It wasn’t so long ago that I did that again and also in that same conversation I said whether or not Ozzie is the decision I’m telling you straight to your face I can work with anyone, no matter what’s been said and what’s been done at this point. I can sit down here like men and work it out, and that opportunity didn’t come about.”
… Making sure I understood correctly, I asked: If Jerry said to you he’d make Rick Hahn the GM, you would’ve said fine if that’s what it took to get the Sox another title?
“With open arms, I’d welcome it,” Williams replied. “This isn’t easy. I think Jim (former Cubs GM Jim Hendry) just a few weeks ago said, he used the phrase all-consuming; there are only a couple of other people in this town that understood what he was talking about. When that time comes I’m more than willing that if I’m being ineffective, whether from a personnel standpoint or a manager standpoint, I’ll step aside and we’ll go out have a steak and smoke a cigar, it’s not a problem.”
Video at the link.
UPDATE: Here’s part 2 of the interview.
A contract extension for White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper figures to become official on Tuesday afternoon with the announcement of a new multi-year deal that will precede a two-game stint as manager in place of Ozzie Guillen.
Cooper is finishing his ninth full season and 10th overall as Chicago’s pitching coach, having begun the task on July 22, 2002. He has worked under managers Jerry Manuel and Guillen, and soon will be practicing his craft for a third — whomever is hired during the offseason to replace Guillen.
With Guillen released from his contract after Monday’s 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays to pursue other opportunities and bench coach Joey Cora apparently heading to the Marlins with Guillen, Cooper will run the show over the final two days of the 2011 season as the team’s interim manager.
CSN reports first base coach Harold Baines will get a multi-year deal too, but third base coach Jeff Cox and hitting coach Greg Walker won’t get new deals.
UPDATE: The extension is for 4 years:
Of Cooper, Williams said, “Well, the pitching has been as consistent over the last decade, and that’s a testament to our scouting department, to our player development department, to Don Cooper, directly in his direction. It’s something that’s well deserved and I’m happy, thrilled to know that he’s going to be on board here for the next four years.”
Nice!
Tea leaves into KW's comments about mgr points more to Davey than Sandy, as he addresses need to wait if guy's involved in playoffs.—
Brett Ballantini (@CSNChi_Beatnik) September 27, 2011
If Alomar was KW's top choice–he says he has one–he wouldn't need to make that caveat.—
Brett Ballantini (@CSNChi_Beatnik) September 27, 2011
UPDATE:
Officially remove Buddy Bell from list of potential W Sox managers. He's happy in player development role per K Williams.—
Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiSox) September 27, 2011
UPDATE #2: More Ballantini:
Martinez has the toughness and pedigree to appeal to Williams. Likewise his mentorship under universally-admired mentor Joe Maddon and Tampa Bay’s success with maximizing roster potential. But reading the tea leaves of Williams’ pregame comments on Tuesday, where, unsolicited, he mentioned that his “clear choice” might not be hired by the World Series because his choice might be involved.
“We have to wait and see who the players are in the World Series and if there’s someone on a playoff team that I ultimately might want to talk to, it might have to drag a little bit.”
For those who feel Williams is leaning toward Sandy Alomar Jr., the Cleveland Indians are not in the playoffs; unless the GM is initiating heavy subterfuge and misdirection, he’s already told us that his top candidate is in playoff contention. …
And:
KW hinted that they won't be looking for a big ticket acquisition this winter—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 27, 2011
“Was it time for a change? I don’t think so. I guess things were accelerated. We had no intention of firing him. This was kind of acquiescing to some of his desires more than anything. It is what it is. I can’t, I don’t wish to expound on any of the peripherals to the degree that they become more of a story than they really are.”This is a case of a man making a business decision for himself and his family. And we respect it. We respected it enough to allow this to happen. Obviously we didn’t agree with the request for an extension and in answer to your question, yes, we’ve had I can’t tell you how much dialogue on the subject.”
ESPN has audio for Kenny Williams’ press conference (10:17) and Ozzie Guillen’s press conference (18:21).
KW: Not walking away wednesday with head held high. I'm embarrassed.—
Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) September 27, 2011
… With Guillen gone, general manager Ken Williams embarks on his second managerial hiring process. Possible candidates include Triple-A Charlotte manager Joe McEwing, Minor League director Buddy Bell, Tampa Bay bench coach Dave Martinez, and Cleveland first-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. Tony La Russa, a close friend of Reinsdorf and one-time White Sox manager, also has been part of the speculation, but it is not certain whether La Russa will stay with the Cardinals.
Not La Russa. Please.
I nominate Tom Tango as replacement. Hell, he can become the GM too.
UPDATE: Three more names by Mark Gonzales: Jim Fregosi, 69, Braves special assistant. John McLaren, 58, Nationals special assistant. Ryne Sandberg, 52, Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager.
UPDATE:
Williams on next manager: "We have had amble time to dwindle the list to a few candidates and we can act swiftly." #WhiteSox—
Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 27, 2011
According to multiple sources, the Sox and Florida Marlins are in the final stages of completing a deal that would send the never-boring Guillen to South Beach, ending his eight-year stay with the club he grew up white as a player and helped guide to a World Series in 2005 as a second-year manager.
The end is expected to become at the conclusion of Monday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field, sources said.
As far as the coaching staff, expect mass changes there as well, all except pitching coach Don Cooper, who according to sources, already has a deal on the table to stay with the organization.
… Sources have indicated, however, that privately Guillen walked away from the meeting knowing his days with the Sox were over, and the talk was more about the details of the split. It was not heated, and if anything, emotional from both sides.
Standard Joe Cowley disclaimer applies.
UPDATE: WSCR reports it too.
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen gathered his players before Monday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays and told them that it would be his final one, according to sources close to the situation.
UPDATE: More on the CSN postgame report.
UPDATE: A couple tweets from the Sox:
The White Sox have agreed to Ozzie Guillen’s request to be released from his contract, allowing the manager to pursue other opportunities.—
Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 27, 2011
The White Sox retain rights to compensation should Guillen accept a managerial position with another major league team in 2012. #WhiteSox—
Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 27, 2011
UPDATE: Press Release: White Sox release manager Ozzie Guillen from contract.
… If there is a choice, Williams will be safe — every opportunity Reinsdorf has had to choose between coaches and GMs in his past (including the Bulls) indicates that the tie goes to the executive suite.
But there won’t be a choice made. Reinsdorf will deal not ultimatums but urgency — everyone, including the White Sox roster — is getting older. Win now, whatever it takes. Otherwise, the housecleaning that was warranted in 2012 will come in 2013.
Meanwhile, Logan Morrison filed a grievance against the Marlins over his demotion to the minors last month:
“I’m doing this because I’m standing up for what’s right,” Morrison told ESPN.com this week. “If I thought it was because of my performance on the field, then I wouldn’t be filing a grievance.”
So, Guillen for Morrison? NBC Hardtalk’s Matthew Poulliot says such a swap won’t happen:
The funny thing is that if the Marlins made such a trade, it’d be because of Morrison’s big mouth. And there’s maybe just one character in baseball with a bigger mouth than Morrison…
But it’s ridiculous speculation, and it’s never going to happen. Morrison is a 24-year-old with a .263/.354/.457 line and 21 homers in 665 major league at-bats. He’s five seasons away from free agency, and it’s not a stretch to suggest he could be worth $50 million in those five seasons, all while getting paid maybe 60 percent of that. He’s not getting traded for a manager. The end.
How rapidly is Ozzie Guillen’s situation deteriorating with the White Sox?
Two weeks ago, a source with knowledge of Guillen’s thinking estimated that the manager was 95 percent certain to return to the White Sox next season.
Over the weekend, the source dropped the odds to 50-50. And on Thursday, he reduced them further, to 10 percent.
The White Sox have not acted on Guillen’s desire for a contract extension. Guillen, meanwhile, was sharply critical of his players after a 6-5 loss to the Tigers in 10 innings on Wednesday night, saying he hasn’t seen “fight.” …
Rosenthal thinks the ‘trade to the Marlins’ would be the obvious solution.
Ozzie Guillen accused White Sox players of quitting, and he meant even before Wednesday’s regularly scheduled choke against Detroit.
Quitting is a serious charge, maybe the worst thing you can say about a player, other than “He’d be a perfect Cub.’’
Quitting. Man, where do kids learn such things?
Perhaps Sox players learned it from their manager who spouted off two weeks ago that he’ll likely quit on next year’s contract unless he gets an extension.
You want players to follow their manager’s lead, but do the Sox want that type of leader — the kind who is with you win or extension? …
That was a funny read!
Other White Sox links:
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