This week, the Chicago White Sox – the last team in MLB to name its 2023 manager – appointed Pedro Grifol to lead the squad next year.
He will be taking Tony La Russa‘s spot, as the veteran manager announced his retirement this season to deal with some health-related issues.
Grifol had been a coach in the Kansas City Royals organization for almost a decade, and was a part of the team that played in two straight World Series in 2014 and 2015.
They won the latter, so Grifol knows what it’s like to build a winning team.
For the last three years, he has been the Royals bench coach, waiting for the right opportunity to manage an MLB team.
While it’s odd that the rebuilding Royals opted to hire a candidate from outside the organization (Matt Quatraro) before hiring Grifol, it’s too early to judge the latter when he hasn’t even managed an MLB game.
Grifol Has An Interesting, Yet Achievable Challenge Ahead
The 2023 campaign will be his baptism of fire.
CHGO Sports’ Adam Hoge is just hoping the White Sox return to playing smart baseball and make routine plays.
That seems like a low bar to clear, but it’s true: with lousy defense and underwhelming offensive play, the White Sox were much worse than expected this year.
“I don’t know anything about Pedro Grifol and I’m wondering why the Royals didn’t just promote him. But I hope this is a Rick Hahn hire and it works out. I just want to see the #WhiteSox hustle, catch the ball and play smarter baseball. A low bar, I know,” Hoge tweeted.
I don't know anything about Pedro Grifol and I'm wondering why the Royals didn't just promote him. But I hope this is a Rick Hahn hire and it works out. I just want to see the #WhiteSox hustle, catch the ball and play smarter baseball. A low bar, I know.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) November 1, 2022
Chicago finished 26th out of 30 teams in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with -35, and 18th in baseball with a .696 OPS.
Their manager also made some famous blunders.
All fans are asking is a the team being a bit more competent and modern in the way they approach games and roster decisions.
NEXT: White Sox Reporter Clarifies Logic Of New Manager Hire