Report: White Sox to hire Will Venable as next manager

The Chicago White Sox have reached the end of their manager search.

According to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, the team will name Rangers associate manager Will Venable its new bench boss.

As for when that announcement comes, it remains to be seen. The World Series will last at least another day after the Yankees won Game 4 on Tuesday night, meaning the White Sox might have to wait to make the hire official.

But regardless of when an announcement comes, Chris Getz seems to be winning praise for landing the up-and-coming Venable, who had been described as one of the leaders to get the job for several days as reports eliminated names from a list of reported candidates that reached double digits. He’s long been thought of as a future manager and has finally secured one of the 30 big league jobs after interviewing for other positions in the past and even turning down opportunities elsewhere, as he did with the Mets and Guardians last offseason.

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Most recently, Venable served as the associate manager for a Rangers team that won the World Series last year. In that role under Bruce Bochy, Venable was, so said the team’s media guide, responsible for daily scheduling in spring training, the regular season and the postseason. That in addition to his job coaching Rangers outfielders. At a previous stop as a member of the Red Sox’ coaching staff, he ran spring training, casting a light on some of the relevant experience as he prepares to take charge of the White Sox.

Venable has Chicago ties, as well, having started his coaching career with the Cubs shortly after being hired as a part of Theo Epstein’s front office.

Venable spent nine seasons as a major leaguer, a descriptor common among those hired to be part of Getz’s brain trust on the South Side. Grady Sizemore, who served as the interim manager after Pedro Grifol was fired in August, was routinely praised by White Sox players for his ability to connect to them as a former player himself. Venable brings those same plusses along with years of coaching experience that Sizemore, who was considered for the full-time role, does not have.

While Getz obviously chose Venable with the intent of him being a difference-maker when it comes to wins and losses one day, Venable is signing up to be part of a long-term project. Getz is helming what has appeared to this point to be a slow-moving, years-long rebuild and said of the manager search before the 2024 season ended that he was looking for a “partner” in that effort.

Even with excitement accompanying Venable’s reported hire, the White Sox are not expected to dramatically improve the major league roster this offseason as they wait for young players to develop in the minor leagues. That will mean little expectation of contending in Venable’s first year as a manager and an anticipated focus on development.

A new manager is just one aspect of Getz’s organizational makeover, which has included big changes in player development, international scouting, research and development and other behind-the-scenes areas.

But the freshly 42-year-old Venable can be viewed as Getz’s choice to lead these White Sox not just now but into the future.

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