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UPDATE (Monday): Chicago officially announced the change Monday, with Ventura stepping down and Renteria serving as his replacement. Ventura’s split from the organization appears to be an amicable one.
Chicago opted to hire Renteria instead of conducting a full managerial search. Two other clubs, the Braves and Rockies, currently searching for new skippers.
ORIGINAL (Saturday): The White Sox are expected to replace manager Robin Ventura with bench coach Rick Renteria, according to a report from Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago has called an 11 a.m. press conference for Monday.
Reports earlier in the week stated that Ventura would return to the helm of the White Sox, as long as he wanted to come back for his sixth season. It is currently unclear whether the decision to make a change came from Ventura or the team’s upper management, as Ventura’s contract runs out at the end of the season.
If this is the end for Ventura, he will depart the White Sox with four losing seasons after going 85-77 in 2012. The team had high expectations heading into this year, but has posted a disappointing 78-82 record and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
Renteria, 54, was the Cubs’ manager for one season, leading the team to a 73-89 in a rebuilding year before Joe Maddon took over in late October. Renteria has been considered a strong managerial candidate over the last two seasons, and appears to be getting his second shot in the city of Chicago in a 4-year span.