Ozzie Guillen Released by White Sox; Will Join Marlins

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to release manager Ozzie Guillen from his contract with the club.  With the move now official, Guillen is expected to be named the next skipper of the Florida Marlins later this week.

Rumors began spreading yesterday that the White Sox had traded Guillen to Marlins.  While a deal involving a manger is nearly unheard of, Chicago will indeed receive compensation for Guillen if and when he signs on with the Marlins.

In return for Guillen, the Marlins are expected to send utility man Ozzie Martinez and a Minor League pitcher to the White Sox.

Questions have surrounded Guillen’s future with the White Sox for some time.  Talks of a rift between the sides intensified earlier this month when Guillen said that he only wanted to remain in Chicago if he was signed to a multi-year extension.  The White Sox had picked up Guillen’s 2012 option before the season started, but were said to be unwilling to offer their manager a long-term deal.

Guillen and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met this weekend, and the two came to an agreement that Chicago’s 2011 performance didn’t call for an extension.  As a result, the White Sox agreed to release Guillen of his contract so that he could pursue other opportunities.

Now, with Jack McKeon announcing his retirement, Guillen is poised to join the Marlins.  Florida is expected to announce Guillen’s hiring as early as Wednesday.

Over his eight seasons Chicago, Guillen has built quite the reputation.  A year after taking over the club, Guillen and the White Sox went on the win the 2005 World Series.  It was the White Sox first World Championship since 1917.

But with the good also comes the bad.

Since joining the White Sox, Guillen has been outspoken and controversial.  His brutal honesty has made Guillen a source of humor and criticism for Chicago fans and media alike.  Though he brought a championship to Chicago, the White Sox only made the playoffs under Guillen twice in his eight seasons.

Guillen finishes his tenure in Chicago with an overall record of 678-617.

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