The Chicago White Sox announced on Monday that they have fired executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn, ending their long tenure with the club.
Williams and Hahn were responsible for overseeing the baseball operations department, which has failed to produce a winning season since 2016. The White Sox are currently 49-74, the second-worst record in the American League.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we felt was necessary for the future of the organization,” said owner Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement. “Ken and Rick have been instrumental in building a culture of excellence and a foundation for sustained success, but we have not met our expectations on the field in recent years.”
The White Sox have begun searching for a single decision maker to lead the baseball operations department, and expect to fill the position by the end of the season. The new hire will have full authority to shape the roster and coaching staff, as well as oversee player development and scouting.
The White Sox have a core of young talent, including Luis Robert, Eloy Jiménez, Tim Anderson and Lucas Giolito, but have struggled with injuries, inconsistency and underperformance. They have also been criticized for their lack of aggressiveness in free agency and trades, as well as their handling of some internal issues.
Williams joined the White Sox in 1992 as a scout, and became the general manager in 2000. He led the team to a World Series championship in 2005, and was promoted to executive vice president in 2012. Hahn joined the White Sox in 2000 as assistant general manager, and succeeded Williams as general manager in 2012.
