*OFFICIAL* The Pedro Grifol Era Begins

[Frater Perdurabo]

It’s no longer a matter of who we want as manager; it’s reported throughout the media today that Royals assistant Pedro Grifol has been named the next manager of the White Sox. Let’s discuss…

[Frater Perdurabo]

In this linked podcast, an interview with Grifol, he is quoted as saying,

“At the end of the day, your team has to hit homers. You have to put the ball in the seats to win games. You need that timely 3-run HR.”

[Frater Perdurabo]

This Athletic story from 2018 references Grifol as the “connective tissue” between the analytics department and on-field staff.

[notjimrose]

I know absolutely nothing about this guy, but I wish him well and hope for the best.

One thing I am skeptical about is his (or any manager's) ability to bring analytics to the White Sox. If the front office doesn't have a strong analytics operation, then there's nothing there for the manager to use and rely on. Not to say they don't have a strong analytics operation, but I think it is safe to say it hasn't made its mark if they do.

[HomeFish]

I'd never heard of this guy before today, and suffice it to say he was not on my radar at all. Nor does he appear to have been on the radar of others WSI posters, nor the radar of White Sox beat reporters. I like that he is an outsider. I think the fact that he is Cuban-American and much of the team is Cuban is overrated (I'm the same ethnicity as my parents and I fight with them all the time) but it's probably at least a small positive.

Everything I've read about him today makes me like him more. I didn't consider the Royals to be an analytical organization but apparently that's wrong now. He seems to have both brains and leadership skills.

I am significantly more excited about the 2023 White Sox today than I was yesterday. Now let's go make some FA signings.

[WSox597]

I'm very happy it was not yet another White Sox ex-player with zero experience, or a retread who shall remain nameless. LOL

Previous to the search, I had never heard of him either, but I only really follow the White Sox so that's not that unusual. I never heard of Espada either before the search.

[HomeFish]

It's not clear he was on anybody's radar: his Wikipedia article is only three paragraphs long:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Grifol

Some highlights:

• He's from Miami
• He played nearly a decade in the Twins and Mets minor league system without sniffing the majors
• He used to be the director of minor league operations for the Mariners
• His role on the 2015 Royals was catching coach

[Frater Perdurabo]

Charlie Montoyo (former Blue Jays manager) is expected to be hired as bench coach.

Ethan Katz is expected to remain as pitching coach.

[Dumpjerry]

I'd never heard of this guy before today, and suffice it to say he was not on my radar at all. Nor does he appear to have been on the radar of others WSI posters, nor the radar of White Sox beat reporters. I like that he is an outsider. I think the fact that he is Cuban-American and much of the team is Cuban is overrated (I'm the same ethnicity as my parents and I fight with them all the time) but it's probably at least a small positive.

Everything I've read about him today makes me like him more. I didn't consider the Royals to be an analytical organization but apparently that's wrong now. He seems to have both brains and leadership skills.

I am significantly more excited about the 2023 White Sox today than I was yesterday. Now let's go make some FA signings.

His name was mentioned early and often along with Espada. After TLR made it official he was riding off in the sunset, just about every article, posting on Facebook and WSI mentioned Grifol and Espada as frontrunners. Many on here questioned what a Royals' Bench Coach could offer ignoring the fact that he was on the coaching staff that took the team to the World Series twice.

Some people here quickly went into a fetal position with fear that Ozzie was the next Skipper without even noticing other names being brought up.

[MrX]

Was listening to 670 on my ride home and Spiegal said people he’s talked in the org have said Daryl Boston and McEwing won’t be back.

[Noneck]

It concerns me that he was passed over how many times by the royals.

[Kobo]

It concerns me that he was passed over how many times by the royals.

How many times was he passed over by the Royals? I honestly have no idea. And if you are going to use their latest vacancy as an example of being passed over I will counter that with there being an entirely new FO in KC who probably wanted to go outside of the org with their first managerial hire.

[shingo10]

Hope he is going to emphasize defense and baserunning.

[Frater Perdurabo]

Was listening to 670 on my ride home and Spiegal said people he’s talked in the org have said Daryl Boston and McEwing won’t be back.

Ron Washington almost certainly won’t make a lateral move to join the Sox, although I would have liked to see him coach Tim Anderson.

Andy Van Slyke would be a great outfield coach, who officially could coach first or third base.

[WSox597]

It will be good to have some new blood infused into the organization. The hitting coach needs to go away. Washington would be an excellent addition and would especially be good for the infield. I agree he is probably happy right where he is, with the Braves.

I believe the White Sox could use some new blood in minor league coaching as well.