White Sox begin interviews for manager job

There’s a considerable push coming from inside the White Sox’ organization to bring in a manager with experience to replace Tony La Russa, but general manager Rick Hahn’s umbrella over the Sox’ lot of candidates extends to those without, such as Astros bench coach Joe Espada.

Espada interviewed with the Sox and Marlins on Wednesday, and both teams reportedly were interviewing Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol, as well.

Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro has interviewed for multiple jobs since 2019, and there are those inside the organization who believe he’d be a good fit.

Managerial experience, however “would be a huge plus because of our team and expectations,” a Sox source said. “It’s not a rebuild.”

As the Sox’ search enters the interview stage, Braves 70-year-old third-base coach Ron Washington’s name has gained traction as a potential candidate with experience. Several familiar, proven names, including Mike Shildt, Bruce Bochy, Don Mattingly, Joe Girardi and Joe Maddon, can’t be ruled out.

Hahn has said he’s leading the search and listed recent dugout experience with a contender, communication skills and understanding “the way the game has grown and evolved in the last decade but at the same time respect old-school responsibilities” as criteria, although he didn’t rule out candidates with no managerial experience.

“Having managerial experience is a positive,” Hahn said. “That said, you can also get good experience being a bench coach or adjacent to a manager.”

While it’s believed pitching coaches Ethan Katz and Curt Hasler (bullpen) will be back, some from La Russa’s staff were told they can talk with other clubs and are in limbo for 2023 pending the new manager’s input.

Espada, 47, interviewed for the Cubs’ job when David Ross was hired and last year interviewed with the Mets and Athletics. Espada served in the Marlins’ minor-league system and was the team’s third-base coach from 2010 to ’13.

“Joe’s a very astute baseball man, very good worker,” Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. “He does his homework. He’s prepared. So you don’t know if you’re ready until you get there. But whatever happens, I mean, you got to have your first at some point in time.”