The White Sox are opening up their television booth again after John Schriffen’s run in Chicago ended after three seasons with the team.
In a statement, Brooks Boyer said, “John has been a true professional throughout his three seasons with the White Sox, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a distinctive style to our broadcasts,” Boyer said. “As his contract comes to an end, we believe this is the appropriate time to evaluate the direction of our broadcasts and determine what is best for the organization and our fans moving forward.
Schriffen’s time on the South Side was eventful, but the bigger ripple effect here may land on the North Side. Before the White Sox brought him in to replace Jason Benetti ahead of the 2024 season, Zach Zaidman had been floated as a possible fit for the Sox booth. Now that the job is open again, that old speculation could easily come back into the conversation.
The timing matters for the Cubs, too. With Hall of Famer Pat Hughes set to turn 72 in May, Chicago’s radio future is already on the radar.
And in the piece of fan logic that keeps making the rounds, Zaidman does not belong in that long-range picture. His role has grown as Hughes has taken on fewer games, and the idea is simple: if the Sox come calling, Cubs fans might happily hand him over.
Cody Delmendo captured that sentiment bluntly on social media, writing, “They should hire Zach Zaidman. Everyone LOVES him. https://t.co/m8l2xWRFc6”
The White Sox are starting a nationwide search for Schriffen’s replacement, and the fan wish list around this one is pretty clear. A lot of Cubs followers would gladly send Zaidman to the South Side if it meant clearing the path for their own booth, where Hughes works alongside color commentator and former All-Star Ron Coomer. If the Cubs are really planning ahead, the idea here is to move on from Zaidman and map out a way to bring Len Kasper back when Hughes eventually steps away.
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Suzukis appeal is obvious even without the full picture of where the talks may lead. He has been productive enough to draw interest beyond Chicago, and his blend of offense and defense makes him the kind of player teams tend to circle when they are trying to stabilize a corner spot. For the Cubs, it is the sort of offseason buzz that naturally catches attention because once a player starts showing up in another clubs plans, the questions about his own future only get louder. [Read more 🡒]