Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura is reportedly on the hot seat after the club's 33-33 start to the 2016 season, which leaves them fourth in the competitive AL Central.
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Ventura's Job Could Be In Jeopardy After Team's Recent Slide
Thursday, June 16
Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reported one source told him Ventura's situation is "not great" after he has come under the microscope because of the team's recent struggles. Heyman noted some people in the organization are starting to wonder whether a switch is on the horizon.
While the front office isn't placing all of the blame at the manager's feet, Heyman added there's a "growing feeling" that it might be time to do something to spark the team. There's no timetable for a decision on his status, though.
Bench coach Rick Renteria is listed as the favorite to fill the void if Chicago moves forward with the change. A source told Today's Knuckleball he's made the Sox "as prepared as they've ever been."
General manager Rick Hahn wouldn't provide a definitive update on the manager's status when asked about the situation last week, per Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.
"I don't think you have ever seen me telegraph any move or comment on any individual," Hahn said. "The best thing you do (is) rally around the guys you have here. My job is to put them in the best position to win, with the people you have in this clubhouse."
Chicago started May with an 18-8 record, the best mark in the American League by 2.5 games and three games better than its closest division rival at the time, the Detroit Tigers. Since then, the South Siders have gone 15-25 and slid down the standings.
Given the overall parity in the division, with just 2.5 games separating the top four teams, the White Sox need to break out of their funk before the Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians start to leave them in the dust.
Now the question is whether a managerial change is the way to go. Ventura, who's in the final season of his current contract, has compiled a 330-384 record since taking over ahead of the 2012 campaign. The team hasn't finished above .500 since the former third baseman's first year in charge.
In the bigger picture, the White Sox haven't qualified for the postseason since 2008 and last won a playoff series in 2005, when they won the World Series. It adds more urgency to take advantage of a wide-open division, which could leave Ventura as the fall guy if things don't turn around soon.
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