Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein explained in general terms what he’s looking for in his next manager. The person must have “leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level,” Epstein stated yesterday. Here are some specifics on the Cubs’ search, with the most recent updates up top:
- There's "very little" chance the Cubs hire Francona, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). He suggests Epstein was merely being polite.
- Epstein says the Cubs haven't determined whether former Red Sox manager Terry Francona would be a fit in Chicago, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
- Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum are at or near the top of the Cubs’ list, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Sveum interviewed for Boston’s managerial opening and Maddux is another candidate for the Red Sox, according to the Sun-Times. The Cubs and Red Sox have both asked to interview Maddux, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin will interview with the Cubs, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Mackanin also interviewed in Boston.
- Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona and Rays manager Joe Maddon aren’t candidates for the position, according to the Sun-Times. Francona is a candidate in St. Louis, along with Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
I’d like Mike Maddux, especially if it made Greg Maddux more interested in returning to the organization in some role. (I’d really like Sandberg but apparently that is no longer a realistic option). I could live with Sveum I suppose. But please, no to Pete Mackanin. It’s nothing against him personally or an indictment of the job I think he could do, I’m just not interested in a 60 year old manager. I’m not interested in a manager who might not even be ABLE to be around when the Cubs become a serious team to deal with. I want somebody who can come in, put his stamp on the major-league team and get the minor league players to understand what is expected of them the second they step foot on an MLB field.
Like that 67 year old guy from St. Louis.. What was his name again?? Tony something???
I wouldn’t want Tony LaRussa either, neither based on his age nor the fact that I frankly don’t like him. What was your point?
Everybody was talking like it would be Francona…but it obviously wasn’t ever going to be, see he said “High standards and integrity..” that would mean Theo doesn’t want drinking in the dugout..haha
Didn’t the Cubs hire some big-time hitting coach from Texas? What is his status?
Are you referring to hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo?
yes signed or gone
rudy, the pitching coach and one more are signed on for next year, and it’s the new manager’s option to bring them back. all the rest are free to sign elsewhere while manager job remains in limbo. read this yesterday.
Listach is the other one and Riggins is the pitching coach. All of them look to be on the outs.
Someone please explain how Epstien didn’t even consider Ryno for this opportunity?!! It blows-my-mind to think that he would not even consider sitting down with Ryno to present his abilities to turn this team around?! As a life-long Cub fan this upsets me to no-end! And to think that the Cardinals gave Ryno the respect to sit urks me even more! I was ‘gun-ho’ about the thought of Epstien coming in and changing our organization from top-to-bottom to finally bring the Cubs a much needed Championship, but to not give an opportunity to someone who devoted his baseball career to the organization (He is in Cooperstown with a “C” hat on his head!), who did his time by going to the minors and proving himself worthy of a chance…. It makes no sense! I live in Miami and Joe Girardi got an opportunity with the Marlins (who had no prior managerial experience) and was Manager of the Year his first season! And how has his managing career gone?!!…. But we can’t see what Ryno can do with a team that is not even suposse to contend this year?!!! Give him a similar deal they gave Quade: Two year deal with an option for a third and see what he can do!! Am I wrong??
What about another guy named Maddux as pitching coach? I think he wore a Cub uniform before.
I think the major league experience shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Sandberg seems (from what I have read in the past) to fit in with the rest of the qualifications. I would think that if you got a manager (like Ryno) that met those qualifications, and he had a veteran coaching staff behind him, his major league experience would be a non-issue.
At least deserves an interview….
Lets all not forget that Theo did interview him back in Boston last year for the Pawtucket job. So he knows exactly who he is and what he is about. There’s obviously a reason that Theo isn’t considering him for this job. And since he did offer him the Pawtucket job he must think highly of him but I think that makes it even more obvious that he knows who he wants to hire and considers that person as an even better fit than Sandberg.
Its time to separate Ryne Sandberg the Cub and Ryne Sandberg the manager. Of the list of available managers (and lets not think the Cubs aren’t looking at guys like Maddon who are employed already) Sandberg is probably somewhere in the top 10. I think the new Cubs want the #1 guy (whoever that may be) and not just a top 10 guy because he played at Wrigley Field in the 80’s and 90’s.
I’d assume the reason is that Theo and the Cubs front office don’t want to fire him if it doesn’t work out.
Or they just want to start with somebody who doesn’t have that much of a learning curve in the Major Leagues. Sandberg will get a shot from somebody, he could even end up on the coaching staff as a bench coach.
Greg Maddux is already Special Assistant to the General Manager
Out of curiosity though, is that a position he is keeping, seeing as how he was a Hendry hire? From what I’ve heard/read, for all intents and purposes, Theo is GM and Hoyer is his assistant, the titles were just so Theo got a title bump, and Hoyer didn’t get a title demotion.
according to the cubs website, he is still on staff, and hopefully he continues to stay.
Special Assistant General Manager
Heh, how hilarious would it be if they hired Francona? The whole Boston front office transplanting and moving to Chicago…
Honestly, that’d be more stupid than anything else. It’s idiotic to think that you can do one thing in one place & succeed & do the same exact thing & succeed at another. The clubs are different & are at different places.
Theo – reading between the lines – I would like a “yes” man
ESPN is reporting that Francona is very much in the running for the job. Epstein and him have been talking already. It almost sounds like the job is his if he wants it.
I don’t think Theo has multiple discussions and says a guy is at the top of his list just to be polite.