Joe Maddon Discusses Future With Cubs

Cubs manager Joe Maddon may be riding out the final few days of a memorable tenure — or wrapping up a disappointing season before attempting to spur a bounce back in 2020. He discussed the still-uncertain situation today on 670 The Score (Twitter feed).

Maddon made clear that there’s no resolution to this point. But he indicated that he expects one in the near future, saying his future would be addressed “over the next couple days.” As for the outcome, he says he’s “very optimistic.”

It’s not entirely clear whether Maddon intended that as an expression of optimism in a new contact or a characterization of his general state of mind. But he left no doubt of his own preferences. When asked whether he wished to stay in his job, Maddon responded:

“Of course. That’s what I signed up for in the beginning. It’s always the intention, to stay for a really long time.”

Maddon certainly cast a sunny disposition in his chat, calling the club’s slide out of postseason position “frustrating” but otherwise suggesting he’s quite pleased to be in Chicago. Maddon spoke effusively of Cubs fans and the team’s front office. And he cast his gaze to the future.

“I’m no less motivated now than I was on the very first day on the job,” says Maddon. “To be given the opportunity to be the manager of this organization is quite the honor.”

If that reads almost like a publicly stated interview talking point, it may be just that. Most MLBTR readers expect him to depart, though we’ve yet to hear anything close to a strong hint of the organization’s intentions. The outcome of his situation could be a key domino impacting other managerial situations around the game.