by As the White Sox manager search continues to narrow, three top candidates appear to have emerged.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that Rangers bench coach Will Venable, Tigers bench coach George Lombard and former Angels manager Phil Nevin are all top candidates for the team’s manager job. Heyman also noted that Venable is a guy Chris Getz has always liked, making him a name to continue to watch closely throughout all of this.
Venable, 41, has taken on a variety of roles since retiring after nine seasons in the big leagues. He was first named special assistant to Cubs president Theo Epstein in September 2017, serving as the team’s first base coach from 2018 to 2019 and later as third base coach in 2020.
Alex Cora and the Red Sox then hired Venable as the team’s replacement coach prior to the 2021 season. After two seasons in Boston, Venable landed with the Rangers and has served as associate manager alongside Bruce Bochy since 2023.
Even before Texas won the World Series last season, Venable saw his name being bandied about. He notably declined an interview with the Mets for their opener last October because he’s “comfortable with his situation,” though he’s now reconsidering his options before 2025.
The 49-year-old Lombard was AJ Hinch’s backup coach in all four seasons in Detroit. He began his coaching career with the Red Sox’s minor league affiliate before taking on the same role as roving outfield and baserunning coordinator with the Braves in 2015. The Dodgers then hired Lombard as their first base coach, a role he would hold from 2016 to 2020 under Dave Roberts.
The former outfielder was previously interviewed for positions with the Marlins (basic coach) and the Pirates (manager). Given his time with a World Series champion team in Los Angeles, which is itself a high-profile organization, Lombard has some great experience to go along with his current coaching role on a team that just made it to the ALDS.
Someone with real management experience is Nevin, who recently interviewed with the Padres for their opening night last winter. The 52-year-old originally took over as interim manager of the Angels following the firing of Joe Maddon in 2022, signing a contract for another year with a club option for 2024.
That option was ultimately declined after he posted a 119-149 record in his two seasons at the helm from 2022-23. Nevin was well-liked by players for his personal abilities and was eager to get back into the Major League dugout in some capacity.
Although these three names could be among the favorites, the White Sox were reportedly very interested in Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough. He is one of several other intriguing coaches on a growing list of highly publicized candidates.
The list represents a fairly wide range of experience, although almost all of the names are either currently in the dugout in some role, a former MLB player, or both. With more names likely involved in the search, some of whom are no longer in the running, it’s unclear how much time the White Sox have left. Things seem to be pretty advanced already, so keep an eye out for the club to announce a new addition at any time.
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