After interviewing this week for the open Cubs managerial seat, Mark Loretta made several comments to a Chicago-area radio station on Saturday that offered insight into his hypothetical strategy for improving the club’s on-field product. Speaking to 670 The Score, the former bench coach for Joe Maddon identified bullpen pitching, defense, and team-wide strikeouts as main areas of focus, were he to land the manager’s job on the North Side (link).
“We have three or four areas where we need to improve,” Loretta said. “We certainly had trouble in the bullpen early and late in the season. The defense, for sure, I think it could have been much better. On the offensive side, we struck out way too much.”
Additionally, Loretta–who played in parts of 15 seasons in the majors–seemed to hint at a lack of structure under the recently ousted skipper Maddon, who has long been considered to be a “player’s coach”.
“We have had a lot of optional hitting practice and fielding practice,” Loretta said. “That’s something we should take a look at as well to see if that actually makes sense. There are certain training times when players need to be on their own. Team concept and team-building exercises and getting together in practice more often are very valid.”
For what it’s worth, the 48-year-old Loretta is not the only in-house coach who might have up-close insight into how the Cubs can improve on 2019’s disappointing 84-78 final result. David Ross–who is described by 670’s Bruce Levine to be a “frontrunner” for the manager’s job–will interview in the coming week, as will first base coach Will Venable; Joe Girardi is also expected to interview, though he is said to also have a keen interest in the open Mets posting.
Loretta formerly worked as a special assistant in the San Diego front office, after a sneakily illustrious playing career split between the Brewers, Astros, Padres, Red Sox, and Dodgers. Team sources from the Padres have indicated that Loretta, a longtime Southern California resident, is also a candidate for the open Padres seat.
He looks like a nice guy.
Wouldn’t mind him getting the gig.
“…nice guy?”
And there’s the problem with cubbies nation right there.
I don’t think he was actually just implying he should get the job because he’s nice. Based on his comments about their issues and how he’d address some of them — I’d say Loretta seems to have a pretty good understanding of what it would take to manage a team. He was a really fundamentally solid player back when he played and seems to have a good baseball mind, and equally importantly for managing personalities/players — he does seem like a “nice” /decent guy and I think he could indeed be a fit for the Cubs as their manager — though my guess is he doesn’t wind up getting the gig — though I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays on the staff/organization either as the bench coach again or in some other capacity with the future goal of becoming a manager either with the Cubs or elsewhere. But who knows… maybe the Cubs do take a shot on him and give him the job — I think he’d be good at it… I wish him the best!
Chisox… Right. And who would have more credible insight than a Cub hating, Sox homer?
Don’t worry ChiSoxGuy, the Cubs fire “nice guys” after an unsuccessful year to the Sox can hire them. See Rick Renteria
Just saying “nice guys” get hired by the cubs, then get fired for being “nice”. None of it ever has anything to do with baseball. It’s shallow and irrational.
No that is not what you said at all. Nice try though.
@ChiSox one person makes a comment and that describes Cubs Nation? You are not too sharp.
Explain how Robin Ventura got the Sox job!!! He was a nice guy. That was his only qualification.
Well I guess that explains the White Sox Nation issues!
I see Don Cooper still has a job … he must be a nice guy otherwise how is he still there.
What?
ChiSox you take hating to a new level. I hate the Cubs but I don’t just bash to bash. You blast every Cubs rumor on this site. The Sox will be relevant again some day just be patient
Been through this already. I don’t hate the cubs. I’m a Chicagoan w/four decades of experience. cubs fans have thrown some very good managers under the bus over the years. The next one that get hired will get the same results, no matter how bad the roster is. “Oh he’s a nice guy, I like him.”. Then three months later, “He’s too nice, we need a tough manager who demands results”. Nah, you need better players and a GM who doesn’t make stupid trades and free agent signings. Theo/Hoyer deserve at minimum 80% of the blame for the last three seasons. Maddon, maybe 10% for using players and relief pitchers in roles they’re not suited. Like he had a freaking choice (no reliable leadoff hitter, no reliable closer, aging rotation, below average bullpen arms, poor OFs, Baez hurt and out of position at SS (team is better with him at 2nd), weak bench depth). All that, and Maddon still had the 2nd highest winning percentage in the live ball era for the cubs. Any manager should think twice about working for Theo Epstein. He’ll handcuff you and throw you to the wolves like he did to Sveum, Renteria and Joe.
take a lap
I am a nice guy too. Do you mind if I get the job?
How does one “look like a nice guy”? Don’t let those “innocent” soy faces fool you.
“Sneakily illustrious” is a sneakily illustrious way to describe Loretta’s career.
Loved Mark Loretta when he was a Padre. He would be a good manager or hitting coach for the Dads.
I think he’d be a nice addition for the Moms as well
Unfortunately, there is no mother’s equivalent to the Padres. Just an FYI
Not the Madres ?
There’s a lot of “nice” going on in this comment thread (so far!), a nice change from the usual fanboy vitriol.
Haha
Really? I thought that was the White Sox…
He threw Maddon under the bus.
Yes he did Hahahaha
As he should—Maddon is a great guy, great coach, it he was not able to adjust to being more rigid and enabled players too much.
I’ve trying to throw Maddon under the bus for the past three years but could never catch him at the stop!
We won a World Series and we never hit batting practice, I’m just saying
“We”? Lol
“A” World Series ring. That’s cute.
what’s wrong with saying we?
Miggy didn’t need batting practice. Didn’t you see his grand slam in the NLCS and his insurance RBI in Game 7?
The .most famous Cubs grand slam ever. Addison Russell had one in game 6 of the world series.
Yea he said “we” so what. Do you have s point
He identified areas of need. Just curious how he would address those needs.
Exactly. He preached the obvious. Not impressed
It’s not about Maddon being too nice. Joe is the perfect manager for teams like Tampa Bay, the young Cubs, and I think he would be a great fit for the Padres. Joe is excellent with young players like Tampa always has, the Cubs had, and what the Padres have. As far as transitioning to a veteran team…not so sure. That’s why the timing of the Cub change is now. Move on to a more disciplined approach and more structure.
If Loretta doesn’t get the job he isn’t gonna stay on in some other role. He wants to manage.
I’m hoping for Ross. He’s got the credibility in the clubhouse…especially when you hear Lester speak about him. He could get tough and still have the team all-in with him. Remember, he was a back-up catcher who was carried off the field after game 7 in the WS! Make him an offer he can’t refuse!!
So you think Ross is qualified because he was carried off the field? You think he can get tough huh? He is buddy buddy with the players so how does that spell get tough to you?
He has never managed. Never coached. He is not qualified
Never managed, never coached, so therefore not qualified? Tell that to Aaron Boone who just won 103 games with a career record of injuries with the Yankees.
There is just too much familiarity there. They like him sure, but he was the worst hitter among them and he offers zero managerial experience, so why listen to what he has to say? I think it would be a train wreck with him as the manager, but having him in the clubhouse as an assistant would be great for morale.
But he was carried off the field after Game 7! Also: Rudy Ruettiger should be the head coach of ND next year
Lol. Loved the movie Rudy
I agree with megaj
They need a guy not afraid to tell the players that striking out or hitting the ball the left side is no longer acceptable after a lead off double. Failing to make contact with a guy on 3rd and less than 2 outs is no longer acceptable. If the Cubs did either of those things just a little better they would still be playing.
They were at the bottom of the league in one run games, baserunning, and defense. Loretta hit on the importance of defensive drills and limiting strikeouts, but bunting, base running, and hit and run drills should also be a part of most practices as they were at the bottom of all those categories under Maddon.
The bullpen is whatever Theo gets them, but regardless they have to throw strikes. Bullpen walks cost them several games this year. As far as the closer goes, Kimbrel can no longer just go in there hoping his “stuff” will get the job done, he needs to locate his pitches way better.
Analytical fan: I love Loretta because he is open minded to new age stuff
Loretta: We struck out way too much
Analytical fan: Burn in Hell!
They should save money and let Rizzo be the hitting coach. He seems to be the only one on the whole team that changes his approach with 2 strikes and does his best to make contact. Kidding of course, but his approach is solid. Schwarber has one of the best eyes for balls and strikes in baseball, but his contact rate is hideous. All that power and knowledge of the zone, but the results don’t add up. If he just improves on hitting balls in the zone, he could have some monster seasons. He should seriously try to get a hold of Barry Bonds and have a conversation.
If his comments are noting what was painfully obvious to anyone who watched them play the last 2 years he can move on. Besides, any new manager is going to have to take Hottovy as the FO loves him. Which probably means Girardi can go to the Mets since he’s gonna want his own coaches.
Loretta reminds me of a presidential candidate whole lot of buzz words and stating the obvious,still waiting for a last minute candidate to appear no one is talking about,that being said imo all their stars are still young they need a hard nosed vet manager to push fundamentals.
They need to abandon that launch angle bs, and allow they’re hitters to play to their strengths. Too man cubs hitters swinging for the fences with runners on, cost them games. They also need to allow guys with speed to steal more bases so they can get in run position.
*their
Agreed
Maddon to the angels…owner who spends