Former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has declined an interview with the Cubs about their open manager's position, reports Fanhouse's John Hickey. The fact that Gonzalez would turn down even a simple interview about a high-profile job will surely add to the speculation that he is Bobby Cox's heir apparent in Atlanta next season; Hickey calls Gonzalez "the extreme frontrunner" to be the next Braves manager.
Gonzalez was reportedly Chicago GM Jim Hendry's top choice to lead the Cubs next season, but several other major names have also been mentioned in connection to the Cubs job, most notably Ryne Sandberg and (if the Yankees don't retain him) Joe Girardi. The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan provides a quick recap of the candidates known to be in line for interviews, such as Pat Listach, Bob Melvin and interim Cubs manager Mike Quade. Former Cleveland manager Eric Wedge has already interviewed for the job.
Good. More room for Ryne Sandberg!
you never hear of a manager turning down an interview
Don’t blame him. The Cubs are in rebuilding fase and if not, should be. Who wants to manage a rebuilding team?
me.
You are in command now, Admiral Piett!
Nice, I’m ready.
I don’t think they could fit your name on the back of a jersey.
If they take out the underscore’s, it might work.
SPANdemoniumisbackagain, huh?
If Saltalamacchia fits, that would, although it would be a circle.
Something like that. I like it! Do you?
When I get home from work I’ll make it in Photoshop for ‘ya.
Perfect. Have a good day at work!
Fredi is the perfect man to take over our team. He’s been my number one want for a while.
Cold.
SPANdemonium for the next Cubs Manager, you got my vote.
Good looking.
I’m hoping to start campaigning tomorow. I have my tommy Bahama shirt, my surf board, my camera crew, and …oh wait that was already taken.
He also got my vote, but I don’t think even Cox, La Russa, or even Torre could help the Cubs win.
As a White Sox fan, I fully endorse SPANdemonium as the next Cubs manager. I think Cardinals fans can get on board with this too.
well, this guarantees he’ll be the next braves manager.
This ought to make Cubs fans AND Braves fans happy
I
It would be a after thought once Fredi was left go with Marlins that he would be the replace for COX next year….This is a no brainer Fredi will be the manager for the braves next year….. Cubs are a mess right now and isn’t near attractive as Atlanta in actually contending every year….Fredi will be with braves for long time …..
Pretty obvious he and Wren have had disucssions. Hasn’t Freddi always been the heir apparent? I was actually shocked he took a job in Florida.
It’s been known since he got fired, that he was the next Braves manager, unless he took a job in another place. If he wasn’t going to be the manager, it would be between Yost and Perez, and since Yost already has another job, it would be Perez if it’s not Gonzalez.
What about Leo Mazzone if Fredi doesn’t get it?
Good for him! He’s got the sense to know not to even think about managing for The Crazies.
Boy, half of you post on threads like this one as if you didn’t know about Fredi Gonzalez’s relationship with Frank Wren and the Braves. He’s already committed there, and it would be in very poor taste if he were to interview for the Cubs job. For one, he would waste Jim Hendry’s time. And two, he would risk potentially offending Frank Wren and the Braves by sending the wrong (albeit unintended) signal. Saying “No thanks” is the most professional thing he could have done at this juncture. So is this a reflection on the Cubs organization? No, not at all.