When a manager is appointed by an MLB team, it’s common for him to work with coaches that he knows and is familiar with.
The Chicago White Sox named Pedro Grifol as their manager on Thursday.
Apart from pitching coach Ethan Katz, most of the White Sox’s coaches won’t be returning for the 2023 season.
That gives Grifol a chance to assemble his own coaching staff.
Naturally, it’s likely that the White Sox come knocking on the Kansas City Royals‘ door to ask to speak with some Royals coaches who worked with Grifol through the years.
About that, Kansas City’s general manager had some comments.
“#Royals GM J.J. Picollo said he expected the White Sox will request to speak with members of Royals coaching staff now that Pedro Grifol is the new manager, but they had not had any discussions as of yet about coaches potentially joining Grifol,” Lynn Worthy, who covers the Royals for the Kansas City Star, tweeted.
#Royals GM J.J. Picollo said he expected the White Sox will request to speak with members of Royals coaching staff now that Pedro Grifol is the new manager, but they had not had any discussions as of yet about coaches potentially joining Grifol.
— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) November 3, 2022
Every New Manager Wants To Work With Familiar People
Picollo seems to acknowledge there is a great chance of some coaches joining Grifol in Chicago, presumably if they are offered better salaries or promotions.
However, there is nothing set in stone as of now.
Grifol worked with Kansas City for nine years, having joined the organization in 2013 just as they started a three-year run of competence that resulted in two World Series appearances and one win.
Grifol knows most of the Royals coaches after having worked with them for years.
He was the team’s bench coach since 2020 but also worked as an assistant to the hitting coach and catcher coordinator with the Royals.
We could see some current Royals coaches go to Chicago in upcoming weeks.
NEXT: New Royals Manager Comments On The Team's Outlook