White Sox Fire Mark Parent

The White Sox have fired bench coach Mark Parent, according to CSN's Dan Hayes and other sources. Parent, who was hired in the 2011-2012 offseason as part of Robin Ventura's initial coaching staff, is only the second coach to be fired in Ventura's regime (hitting coach Jeff Manto was fired after the 2013 season).

Despite leading the White Sox to three consecutive below-.500 seasons for the first time since 1997-1999, signs point to Robin Ventura finishing out his contract with the Sox for 2016. Ventura currently has a 295-350 record (.457 winning percentage) in his first four seasons at the helm of the White Sox, with three games yet to be played this season. Todd Steverson and Don Cooper are expected to be retained as well.

The replacement for Parent could come from outside the organization, and the hiring of MLB journeyman slugger Raul Ibañez is possible. Ibañez was a finalist for the Rays' managerial role last offseason.