White Sox Next Manager: Who Will Replace Pedro Grifol?

Pedro Grifol became the first MLB manager to be fired in 2024 when the Chicago White Sox let him go on Aug. 8.

The White Sox are on pace to have one of the worst regular-season records in baseball history. They recently went on a 21-game losing skid, tied for the longest losing streak in American League history.

While Chicago still has a long way to go to be an MLB odds contender again, there should be brighter days ahead. According to FanGraphs, the White Sox have the league’s No. 3 farm system.

Chicago’s next manager could be in charge of leading the next contending team. And here are four potential candidates to help turn this rebuild around:

​​Pedro Grifol Replacements as White Sox Manager

Skip Schumaker

Skip Schumaker is currently the manager for the Miami Marlins.

And yet, Schumaker might be the favorite to be the White Sox skipper in 2025.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Schumaker as a potential candidate for the White Sox in late June. Schumacher was the NL Manager of the Year in 2023 after leading the Marlins to a playoff berth and an 88-74 record.

With Miami struggling this season, Schumaker is among the managers on the hot seat and could be interested in a move to Chicago.

Charlie Montoyo

The White Sox have a knack for internal promotions. After all, that’s how Chris Getz went from assistant general manager to GM in 2023.

By that logic, Chicago bench coach Charlie Montoyo has to be a candidate. He will likely assume the interim manager role this season and could make a case for keeping the job permanently.

Montoyo posted a 236-236 record in four seasons as the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2019-22.

Sergio Santos

Sergio Santos is another internal candidate for the White Sox.

Santos, who began his playing career as a relief pitcher for the White Sox, is now the manager of the Birmingham Barons, the team’s Double-A affiliate. 

Santos made his coaching debut as manager of the FCL Yankees in 2022. He led the club to the FCL Championship and won the league’s Manager of the Year Award. He then guided the Hudson Valley Renegades (the Yankees’ High-A affiliate) in 2023.

A.J. Pierzynski

One month after reporting Schumaker as a potential candidate, Nightengale mentioned former All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski as a serious contender for the same job.

Pierzynski had a 19-year playing career between 1998 and 2016. He played eight seasons with the White Sox, starting in 2005, when they eventually won the World Series.

That said, Pierzynski has spent most of his post-playing career involved in media.