The Chicago White Sox got closure to the situation that was shadowing the entire organization all season long by agreeing to release Ozzie Guillen from his contract this past Monday night. Swirling uncertainty and distractions behind the ever escalating Williams-Guillen saga was coupled with missing the playoffs for a third straight year and so change necessary.

Only time will tell, however, if the right guy was ushered out of town. Guillen looks to double his pay at the helm of the Florida Marlins over the next several years while the Sox pick up the pieces of a reckless $127 million front-office mess. And should little change over next couple of years with a bloated roster still tied to underperforming players (Alex Rios, Adam Dunn and Jake Peavy), General Manager Kenny Williams will be front and center in this “what have you done for me lately” business.

Likely successors to Guillen’s job include current Cleveland Indians first-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, AAA Charlotte Manager Joe McEwing, and even Reinsdorf-favorite St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa and former Cubs great Ryan Sandberg are rumored as possible candidates.

Filling the spot with another successful manager is possible and a prerequisite following the messy Sox-Guillen divorce.

Guillen made winning a baseball expectation and an actual memory for Chicago. Always colorful during his eight year tenure, he did it his way and snapped an 88 year World Series drought after leading the White Sox to the 2005 title. Along the way he never pulled punches, spewed out memorable tirades, taunts and rants directed at just about everyone. Always entertaining to his supporters and critics alike, he also made it that much easier for Chairman and friend Jerry Reinsdorf to choose between him and General Manager Kenny Williams.

Following his last game as Sox Manager on Monday night, Guillen admitted ‘‘I think Jerry did me a favor. It was my call, and I appreciate the Chicago White Sox for letting me do what I want. Maybe it’s not for the best. Maybe I won’t appreciate what I’ve got here. But sometimes you have to turn the page. Hopefully, the next book will be as good as this one.”

Filling Ozzie’s shoes in Chicago will prove impossible. ...