White Sox Pitching Coach to Replace Guillen for Season

(With additional reporting from The Associated Press)

The Chicago White Sox will have a new manager. Pitching coach Don Cooper will step in to manage the team for the final two games of the season. The team announced that it had agreed to terms on a multiyear contracts with Cooper and first base coach Harold Baines. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was released from his contract on Monday to pursue other opportunities.

Guillen had one year left in his deal and was seeking an extension with a pay raise. He had met with owner Jerry Reinsdorf for about 30 minutes earlier in the day.

Guillen said the move shouldn't be blamed on anyone. He requested to be released from his contract with the team.

"Let me go and do what I want to do and the best for me and my family," Guillen said in the press conference Monday night.

Guillen also expressed disappointment at the way the Sox have been playing this season and gratitude for his fans.

"I know they're not going to forget me. They can't. Even if they want to, they can't. They walk through the ball park, my picture will be there. I hope they don't take it down," Guillen joked.

The outspoken Guillen led the Sox to win two American league central titles as well as the World Series in 2005.

The White Sox said in a release they retain the right to compensation should Guillen accept a managerial position with another major league team for the 2012 season. The Florida Marlins are expecting to snag Guillen as their new Manager as soon as Wednesday after Jack McKeon announced Monday night that he was retiring.

Contrary to earlier reports, bench coach Joey Cora will not manage the team for the season's two final games. In fact, Cora won't come to the park for those two games. Cora is a close friend and former teammate of Guillen's and could join Guillen if he takes the manager's job with the Florida Marlins.

Mike Gellinger will serve as bench coach for the final two games.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)