The latest on White Sox managerial search

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin's White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- So, you are on a quest for more answers following my five questions for the White Sox in last week’s newsletter? I think that’s what you are saying, as my hearing isn’t what it once was.

Ask and you shall receive.

Who will be the next manager?

This is a return question from last week because if "new White Sox manager" was the chosen costume for Halloween, you only could make an educated guess. We might not know until the organization calls a press conference or has a Zoom after the World Series is complete. Who am I kidding? I’m sure information will leak or be announced before that moment.

It won’t be Houston’s bench coach Joe Espada. It might be Pedro Grifol. It might be Kevin Long. It might be Ozzie Guillen, who hasn’t managed in a Major League dugout since 2012. But reboots seem to be popular in the entertainment industry, so why not in Chicago? I stress for what seems like the fourth or fifth time how this hire most importantly requires a team focus and the ability to work collaboratively with the front office, the coaching staff and everyone else involved.

Is this a must-win season?

There’s no doubt. Every season is a must-win for a team with the talent possessed by the White Sox, but in coming off two total playoff wins during the 2020 and '21 seasons and missing out on the postseason in ’22 at a disappointing 81-81, the White Sox need to open this competitive window wide following the rebuild.

Which players are free agents?

1B José Abreu, SS Elvis Andrus, RHP Vince Velasquez, RHP Johnny Cueto

Are any of them likely to receive qualifying offers?

None of the above will receive qualifying offers, and there’s a chance none of the four returns. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, it will be strange to see an organization staple and franchise stalwart such as Abreu potentially playing somewhere else.

Which players have options, and how should they play out?

Tim Anderson’s six-year, $25 million deal, agreed upon on March 21, 2017, includes a $12.5 million club option for ’23 and a $1 million buyout. The White Sox will pick up that option for their shortstop.

Outfielder AJ Pollock has a player option worth $13 million, which rose from $10 million through his 527 plate appearances in 2022, with a $5 million buyout. Second baseman Josh Harrison has a $5.5 million club option with a $1.5 million buyout and was a valuable clubhouse component, but the White Sox could possibly get more left-handed in their lineup through second base.

Who might be a non-tender candidate?

Eight players are arbitration eligible for the White Sox, including starting pitchers Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech, as well as high-leverage reliever Reynaldo López. Right-hander Kyle Crick, who was injured much of last season, figures to be a non-tender candidate, and a tougher non-tender call will be outfielder Adam Engel, who has Gold Glove capabilities in the outfield but whose development has been hampered by injuries.

Reliever José Ruiz and infielder Danny Mendick should be tendered.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?

Infielders Jose Rodriguez, Bryan Ramos and Yolbert Sanchez are candidates to be added to the 40-man for this reason. Left-handed hitting outfielder Luis Mieses is another possibility.

What areas of improvement are the White Sox targeting?

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has spoken about never having enough pitching, so if Cueto moves on via free agency, a starting pitcher should be added even with Lopez and Jimmy Lambert in house and Garrett Crochet coming back from Tommy John surgery. Catcher also could be an area of concern, with Yasmani Grandal in the finale of his four-year, $73 million deal.

But the White Sox need to get more left-handed balance in their lineup. Outfield and second base would make the most sense, although outfielder and left-handed hitter Oscar Colas, the No. 95 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline, is on his way.

Who might they be willing to trade?

Anyone short of Cease and probably Luis Robert is available for the right return. But some players would be considered trading low because of rough 2022 performances, while others wouldn’t be as financially feasible because of their contractual status. And there are some the White Sox just aren’t inclined to move.

The White Sox have one of the American League’s best rosters if players are healthy and playing to their vast potential. It’s a good morsel to know, considering they probably won’t dip too deep into free agency.