Phillies executive named as possible White Sox GM candidate

With the White Sox recently firing their long-time executive vice president and senior vice president/general manager, they're looking for new leadership. According to a recent report, one of their potential main targets is a member of the Phillies front office.

As per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the White Sox are apparently interested in Preston Mattingly, who is the Phillies' director of player development. Morosi also notes White Sox internal option Chris Getz and the Blue Jays' James Click as other candidates.

Big shoes to fill

In respect of Mattingly, his surname is well-known because of his father Don, who enjoyed an excellent playing career with the Yankees which included nine Gold Glove Awards and six All-Star selections. In fairness to the younger Mattingly though, he is developing an excellent reputation in his own right.

When he was younger, the now 36-year-old seemed poised to similarly enjoy a productive baseball career. His play at Evansville Central High School resulted in him being selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2006 draft.

However, after six years at various levels in the Minors, it was clear Mattingly was unlikely to get that call-up to the Majors. As a result, he made the decision to go back to college and purse his first sporting love of basketball.

Unfortunately for the Englewood, New Jersey native, his basketball career similarly didn't pan out as hoped. However, other opportunities were always going to present themselves for someone renowned for his leadership, work ethic and humbleness.

A successful return to baseball

As a result, Mattingly made the move back into baseball and spent five seasons with the Padres. During this time his roles included baseball operations assistant and scouting manager, as well as coordinator of Major League advance scouting and game planning.

Then came the move in September 2021 to Philadelphia, as the Phillies' director of player development. At the time as per the Indianapolis Star's Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said:

"Preston has a tremendous background for this position. He has the ability to combine and use the necessary analytical skills blended with his baseball knowledge and he possesses leadership capabilities that are apparent very quickly."

In Dombrowski, Mattingly is undoubtedly learning from one of the best. How could you not gain invaluable knowledge from someone who has been involved in the construction of two World Series champions? (The Marlins in 1997 and the Red Sox in 2018.)

In this respect, it is the relationship and understanding between the two, which will likely contribute towards what Mattingly decides. (For example, is he in line to eventually take over from Dombrowski's position?) Certainly, the Phillies would hate to lose someone with the potential for a long and successful career in the world of professional baseball.