Joe Maddon is in the last year of his contract as the Cubs’ manager, and though speculation has run rampant for months that the team could potentially look for a new dugout leader for 2020, Maddon doesn’t sound as if he’s expecting to go anywhere. “I’m operating like we’ll be together for a couple more years, at least. I’m not going to sit and proclaim I’m looking to go elsewhere. That’s not true,” Maddon told ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers and other media members today, adding that he has a “very high” amount of optimism that he’ll return to the job.
Despite rumors of discord between Maddon and the front office last fall, both he and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein have each said they hope to continue the relationship between the skipper and the team. Maddon reiterated these feelings today, while admitting that he made a point of being more open with both the front office and his players this season.
“It’s about interactions,” he said. “It’s about communication. It’s about the ability to work together. That’s what it comes down to….This year I’ve taken it to a different level,” Maddon said. “I want to be somewhere where I want to work, too. Everything about what we do with the Cubs, you can’t beat it. It’s impossible to beat. That’s the allure for me.”
This interpersonal relationship seems to be the key factor, as Maddon noted that an extension “has nothing to do with wins and losses. If that’s the case, I would have signed a contract at the end of last season….You can’t just reduce it to wins and losses. That makes no sense at all.”
Today’s victory over the Reds improved the first-place Cubs’ record to 64-54, and Chicago holds a two-game lead over Milwaukee and a 2.5-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central race. While there’s a long way to go before the Cubs can start printing playoff tickets, the team appears to be on pace for their fifth postseason appearance in as many years since Maddon was hired as manager. His previous four years saw the Cubs win two NL Central crowns and two NL wild card berths, and of course, the Cubs finally ended over a century of frustration by winning the World Series in 2016.
Why does Joe feel the need to speak in such a pedantic manner? He never speaks in normal language.
I’m not going to sit and proclaim I’m looking to go elsewhere. That’s not true.”
Dude, if the Cubs want you to stay, you’ll be there. It has nothing to do with you “proclaiming” anything.
I blame Trevor Bauer’s 2016 drone fantasies for letting this blowhard get to the big boy table.
He’s always been an egomaniac, but it was kept more in check when he was in Tampa. Money and the World Series title have done nothing but inflate his ego even more.
I think he’s always drunk when he does post game interviews. He’s a big wine drinker and seems to always be sipping on some.
Joe’s the best and highest paid manager in the game. Stop smoking whatever it is you maddon haters smoke.
By what metric is he the best manager in the game lmaoo
Best manager in the game? The cubs won in 2016 in spite of his effort to blow game 7 with Lester and pitch Chapman till his arm fell off. He’s full of himself
Pitching Lester wasn’t a mistake. Taking Hendricks out before 5 innings was a mistake. Pitching Champman in a game 6 blow out win was a mistake.
When it comes mistakes, my family and ElMagiN9ne’s family certainly know a lot. Our respective parents would tell you that each family certainly had at least one big mistake take place on our respective birthdays.
Hendricks finally settled down and agree that he should’ve stayed in. The problem with the Lester move was bringing him in during the inning with a guy on base. Two things he’s not comfortable with.
Your an idiotyou can have a seat at the idiots table to.
You’re* idiot* you* too*
Your an idiot
You’re
He’s smart enough to use big words and complete sentences, which is why so much of the internet hates him
And spell your and you’re correctly
So basically he is capable of doing everything I’m not.
“I agree shallow and pedantic.”
He will be the manager of the Phillies next year…
Please god no
i dig it
You aren’t the clown. You’re the whole circus, Joe.
Chisox guy in 3.2.1
This one is like shooting fish in a fish bowl.
Joe will depart quietly with head between his legs after Cubbies miss the playoffs in 6 weeks or so.
Why don’t you at least be creative when you complain about the Cubs? Tell us about our Cubs fans favorite players like Ian Crapp and Pedro Strok
Did u not read the article?
It’s about Joe.
He is delusional.
That doesn’t mean I can’t have comments about related topics.
Just stay worried about all the TJ surgeries and rebuilding issues…
Year 7 for that vaunted White Sox rebuild.
I don’t even know what you’re saying but he’s not coming back. I think Joe Girardi is waiting in the wings
It will be Mark Loretta. Theo guy—-way, way less expensive than either Joe.
There is a zero percent chance that Epstein is hiring an old school guy who rails against analytics.
Why would the Cubs want a guy the analytics revolution passed by a long time ago? He’s also a clubhouse dictator which is an instant personality clash between him and most of their star players
Take out the fact that he played for them and there is nothing that makes him a fit
Idk, he seems to want to go after the big time managers not rookie managers. Don’t you think the fans will be a little ticked off of Mark Loretta replaces the guy who took them to the World Series? But then you could be right cause honestly I think it’s possible after this year the central will belong to someone else.
I think the fans will always find a reason to be ticked off when they want to be. Even if they have to make that reason up
I think a team always needs to focus exclusively on what they think is best and ignore fan sentiment. If Loretta is the best candidate, make him the manager. Don’t handicap yourself to appease people you really can’t ever fully appease
But of course I am just a blabbering idiot who knows nothing about the game. Taking that into consideration, he is a perfect fit for this team.
It’s fish in a barrel.
I don’t keep my fish in a barrel.
Your fired lol
It should read “you’re” and if his contract runs out, how can he be fired unless you are saying he should be fired this week?!
Well he can be fired put until right before the Cubs play their last game this season.
My bad on the spelling error but I think
You missed the lol part
Joe figured he’d get the buzz going again while Cubs were in first place. Did anyone catch the new excuse??? The added pressure of playing well so he may be retained. He hopes that isn’t the case. In reality he can’t wait til they get home to have “American Legion Week”
There is nothing wrong with the Cubs, just how they are managed. That Cub fan that proposed last night with the card board sign, could do just as well as Maddon.
I’m Heyward and Darvish contracts and I say hello. I will be sinking the ship.
Darvish has been better of late.
Yeah only a high 4 ERA instead of a high 5 ERA. He’s been amazing. *eye roll*
Since July 3rd he has 53K to 2BB. Lowered his ERA a half run. Making strides to getting better and healthier from what I see.
Kimbrel’s contract days “you need to pay more attention before trying to analyze this stuff”
The long list of pitching injuries they’ve had this season would be the reason for most of their slumps, but why let facts get in the way of a good narrative, right?
I never do. I just try to pass myself off as the ultimate authority on everything without any facts whatsoever. If I can’t do that, I will try to make some lame insult to cover the fact that I am just a egotistical blow hard.
I would think he’s going to need to go deep into the playoffs. Theo never blames himself, and 3 years is forever in MLB-land (Red Sox fans are already screaming for Cora’s head, and that’s in 10 months).
The only way he stays is if they let him, and Joe knows he doesn’t get a big payday anywhere else; nobody gets a big payday any more to manage.
“Theo never blames himself….”
Hello bob;
Truer words were never spoken.
His team is hanging onto first place by their fingernails in the worst division in MLB.
Cubs have some impact players, but their payroll is maxed out, and veterans on the roster want more bucks in 2020. Meanwhile, the farm system is pretty much dried up.
The Reds are well positioned for 2020. One of the best pitching coaches in MLB. A terrific staff, and I’d heard that they didn’t mind including Puig in the Bauer trade as they had a replacement….and OMG, is Aquino something else! Plop him in with the young position players, and that is a deep, high-quality, primarily young-and-getting-better hungry team going going into next season.
While Maddon was brought in to work with Epstein and Hoyer (with the national sports media falling all over themselves throwing rose peddles in their path), Francona headed for Cleveland to work with Antonetti and Chernoff – 2 guys the national media barely knew. But Tito worked with them. And alas, shortly after the 2019 season started, two of the Indians top 3 starters (Kluber and Corrasco) went down with injuries along with #4 starter – Clevinger. Not to worry. They held the fort with Bieber, Bauer, and 2 unpublicized youngsters – Plutko and Plesac. When Clevinger came back and quickly pitched as a #1 or #2, they traded Bauer for some hitting, 2 young pitchers to work with, and a low-level infielder. So where are the Indians at? Yet another unpublicized pitcher out of their farm system shows up – Aaron Civale. Today was his 3rd start. He held the homer happy Twins to one run in 6 innings, bringing his ERA up to 1.00. Now Kluber is getting ready to return for the stretch run. The Indians know the main MLB commodity – pitching. How to draft, trade, and develop it.
Back at the Wrigley offices, Theo is plotting on how to convince his owner to budget another $200mm to bring in some pitching help in free agency next year….because the guy and his organizations can’t develop pitching, and he’s desperate……yet again.
Maddon Schmaddon.
Theo gave a bundle to Kimbrel because he can’t overdevelop a closer.
Just checked……
Kimbrel is sitting with an ERA of 5.68 and a 2019 WAR of -0.2.
Theo needs to move on to ESPN as their top baseball commentator.
Cubs lose 90 million off payroll next year . Cole would be a nice starter and obviously need entire bullpen. Twins division is pretty bad. White Sox and tigers are horrible. Cubs have alzolay and Marquez as.pitchers . Nico hoerner is 2b stud and Amaya is stud catcher . They will be fine
^^^^LMFAO^^^^
Realistically, it is about 30 million after all the contract and arb raises due for 2020 if they want to stay under the highest luxury tax cap.
Hoerner is a Zobrist clone, Amaya is catch/throw/bat .200 type catcher. Too bad the Cubs traded the top 2 players that Theo brought in for a rental closer and a backend rotation guy.
Yea. Too bad they traded the RF with the .290 OBP and the 2B who only hits against the Orioles. They should’ve dealt the 3B who won an MVP…
“A 2nd basemen who only hits against the Orioles” why don’t you mention his 2 all stars and the fact he’s only 22?
And he got a world series championship out of that trade. the 100mil + cubs fans that there is. Will take that trade over and over and over again.
Theo never blames himself…what a stupid statement. He stood there 3 weeks ago and faced the cameras saying “it’s all on me”.
But why are we trying to blame somebody?
Only a team from LA has been to the playoffs more consecutive years than the Cubs!
Tell us about how many pitching coaches he’s had in his career.
So true, Theo—-it’s just absolutely mind boggling after years and years of futility that people choose to find negative energy in the midst of making the playoffs five consecutive seasons. It just amazes me. Once Joe is gone and the Cubs miss the playoffs the next five years (see Tampa) fans will realize what the Cubs had. In retrospect I guess it’s great that the Cubs fans have to find someone to blame because they’re only in first place by two games instead of 15 in August, but after all those years of never coming close—-I’m just choosing the enjoy the ride as long as it goes.
The man has the 2nd highest payroll in MLB, behind the Red Sox and ahead of the Yankees.
And he’d have spent even more if the owner hadn’t told him “No Mas!” in the off-season.
Vandals..Why so much angst about pitching coaches and payroll? I’m a fan and enjoy the game on the field. Must be difficult to be so focused on the noise.
…and how are the Red Sox doing?
He won’t be looking for work very long.
Maddon the highest paid manager in the game already. Please do your homework hater. Cant wait till ge signs another 5 yr contract at the end of the season. More Joe. More playoffs and more championships.
Hahahaha.
Three managers needing to win it all to keep their jobs…
Aaron Boone
Joe Maddon
Dave Roberts
Boones job is extremely secure IMO.
Obviously you’re not familiar with the NY media.
Pretty sure Cashman has been there long enough to know ‘the New York media’ has the attention span of a gadfly so isn’t going to let them run the team
They’ll turn on the Mets again anyway as soon as the hot streak ends
Dave Roberts is going to win his third straight pennant. Why the heck would they fire him?
And why would Boone get fired? He’s navigated his way through a ton of injuries and if they lose to Houston well then that’s no surprise because Houston is better than them.
Maddon is whatever and Theo deserves his share of the blame. He’s the one who has handcuffed the Cubs salary wise through bad contracts
“Dave Roberts is going to win his third straight pennant” First of all they don’t just hand out pennants without playing the games, and you have no idea if they will. Plenty of sports teams have fired managers/coaches for not winning it all.
3 straight pennants =3 straight world series losses.
you dont fire guys simply because they dont win enough if you have no replacement in mind. bad manager on a bad team? you can experiment. however, these guys will all be back barring an obviously better option presenting itself.
Lots of tough choices coming for Ricketts and Co. after this season ends.
Wow nicker. Your a genius with that statement.
He gone!!
Unless he wins the World Series which ain’t happening!
Let me guess … Brewers fan
No Astros fan cause they are winning it
100% true if the game was played on paper
It’s not even paper it’s the fact that they are just very dominant
How fast was the bandwagon running when you jumped on it?
A Joe will be managing the Cubs next year. Joe Girardi.
That is my guess too.
Not a good fit with Theo.
It’s going to be Mark Loretta. That’s why Mark was hires to be the bench coach who reports directly to Theo.
The wet dream of Brewers and Cardinals fans everywhere
Cubs fans would rather not have a guy who is the polar opposite philosophically of the entire organization simply because he’s a big name and on tv a lot
I, for one, was done with the Groucho Marx routine before it even got here.
Man you cub fans are funny. Some of the greatest managers of all time, zimmer, piniella, fry, green, Baker. And this guy brings you a championship and you don’t like him. Ok
I will never understand that. It’s the Golden Age of Cubs baseball, and yet there is always something to whine about.
Many ‘old timers’ still can’t accept the lose of the ‘loveable loser’ identity and blame anything Theo or Madden for ruining things
It’s weird and it’s sad and it’s frankly annoying for other Cubs fans to deal with.
But of course it has nothing to do with fans like me that do as much as possible to portray all Cub fans as unbearable idiots who try to use insults and bullying to try and prove our “points” when we have absolutely no facts that can support our viewpoint.
This is based on your opinion or so me scientific poll? No one likes that moniker.
whoever reads this, tell me a fanbase besides, say, LA and Houston that comes off in one of these comment like they support their manager more then they abhor them. Maddon is easily one of the 30 people in the world most qualified to manage a baseball team, and unless you know someone is available from 1-29 that you can replace him with, you should be happy with what you have. no sense being too bothered when their isnt an obvious replacement.
He’ll be Cubs Manager until he doesn’t have a job anymore….plain and simple.
Do they actually consider last years performance a playoff team. They played one game. One and done for the right the play in the playoffs so actually I don’t consider that a playoff team.
Thanks themed for redefining baseball for us. For tomorrow’s task can you get Pete Rose reinstated??
“”gambling” is a social construct”
Can they please reinstate Pete Rose for real and put him in the Hall Of fame where he belongs.
New proclamation by themed:
“Playoff team that won 95 games should not be considered a playoff team.”
This is exactly the type of thinking that got us a court case that ruled that corporations are people instead of sticking with the classics that only people are people.
Leave him alone he’s a cardinal fan, self proclaimed best fans in the world
How many playoff games did they win last year?
Funny how you stop at three years. Wonder what was happening all the years before that.
And nobody cares what you think on the topic because your anti-Cubs bias is so well known that it automatically robs that opinion of credibility
But of course no one cares what I think because my Cubs bias and arrogance automatically robs my opinion of credibility.
Joe showed the entire World who he was as a manager in 2016. He did everything possible to give that World Series to the Indians. He was pitiful. By the Grace of God someone had to win. He hasn’t been close since with a club who should at least played in another. Now it is Dave Roberts turn to show us how pathetic he is. The Dodgers won’t win anything with his post season handling of the pitching staff. Two peas in a pod.
Or Larry you can look at the FACT that he was down 3-1 and WON the World Series. Nobody seems to bring up the fact that Francona wore down Andrew Miller (oh, he gave up a pretty big HR in game 7), ran out of players, had to leave that hero Rajai Davis in CF (he defense alone contributed to three Cubs runs)…..hmmm…on that night and in that series—-Maddon was the better manager. Joe may have been pitiful and there may have been the grace of God…but he was the better manager in that series.
Mike 127 I never did say Francona was better than him. Just simply said Maddon isn’t “ What we thought he was”. Get over yourself
As much as Joe Maddon drives me crazy, the one thing I do sincerely love about him is his optimism. It’s nice to have a manager be the positive one for a change; leave the pessimism to us fans…
That being said… even if the Cubs were to win the World Series this year, I don’t think they bring him back. Manager salaries have been plummeting. Example 1: Boston won the World Series with a rookie manager making $800k/year. Example 2: Yankees plucked Aaron Boone out of the TV booth (zero coaching experience) and got him for under $2M/year. And neither team seems to have really missed a beat. Joe is making $6M/season; right now I’d say he’d have a case for at least $7-$8M/season. If the Cubs win it all again, Joe can ask for (and should get). the high end of that. (I think Cleveland just gave Francona $6M/season for 2 more years??).
So the Cubs have no need to over-spend on a manager. I think ultimately, they’ll “promote” Mark Loretta from bench coach to skipper for 2020. If the Cubs fail, they have a built in excuse for a “new voice” and can move on from Joe; if they win it all, they can spin it as not being able to compromise on a deal/Joe is greedy.
That’s my take… what do you all think?
Bykoric—-100% agree—-the only thing that is/will keep Joe from coming back is salary. Believe me, there are dozens of experts on this thread alone that are “better” than Joe so I think it’s either themed, ChiSox, or Mark Loretta getting the gig. Loretta has a lot of Theo/Jed/Boston ties and is in the dugout for a reason.
Watch the Cardinals hire him this offseason.
Maddon isn’t a puppet. Mozeliak likes puppets that insulate him.
And they are cheap
And don’t like living in the 21st century, which rules out a guy like Maddon
Of course I know this because of all my years working within the Cardinals organization. Oh wait…that’s right my job is actually part time at Taco Bell. Never mind, I know absolutely nothing about this topic.
Not that I want Ricky gone but wouldn’t it be funny if he goes to the south side? You know we would all love it. Well most
Maddon just gave the classic spiel that every athlete that their contract is running out. They all say that they really want to stay,and they act like something will be worked out. Then they move on and blame the front office for not resigning.
Joe Girardi and the Cubs are waiting for Maddon’s contract to expire.
Girardi will lose more games with this roster than Maddon did. Oh well, cubs fans need a wake up call anyway. They still think it’s 2016.
Did you notice that white Sox fans like to bash the cubs just out of spite? They have all of these hopes and dreams with all of the young studs they supposedly have. As I remember things, the Cubs youngsters in 2015 made the playoffs. I don’t see the same happening for the Sox. There is still time, but things need to change and players need to grow up. Is it too much? Maybe.
They worry more about the Cubs than their own team. It’s pathetic.
fire Kapler!!!!! Joe please come to Philly!!!!!
Isn’t Kaplan like 20 years younger? why would you get rid of a younger manager
for an older one ?
Why does age matter? He’s not playing.
Joe, also believes in the Tooth Fairy
I don’t think so…..
Love the positive attitude, but as long as he manages this team to less wins than they should have, bye.
Are you serious? It’s a miracle they’re still above .500. Not saying Joe is the reason the cubs are still in 1st place, but he’s not the problem with that team. Theo is.
Damn dude! Theo banged your wife didn’t he?
Do any of us believe he’s old enough to be married? We’ve all seen his one post….
As for me, of course I’m not married because no actual human being could tolerate me long enough to be married. Thank his they make blow up dolls.
Joke Maddon.
They are a very unmotivated group of players with absolutely no sense of urgency…that falls on the manager…he has an excuse for wverything… pitcher gives up 6 runs…”I thought he threw the ball very well”…it has gotten old…players have no idea where they are going to play except for Baez, Rizzo, and Contreras.
Played have 3 hits and will sit the next day…ugh…his handling of the bullpen is enough…I thinks Joe just wants to walk to the mound so that him and his ego can be the center of attention…we lucked out in 2016…just like someone previously mentioned…Joe handling of the staff should have lost that series. Loretta or Girardi….Joe can go to the Angels where he started.
Let’s not forget that the Cubs have more wins since 2015 than any other team in baseball other than the Dodgers (+7). Seems a bit contrary to the criticisms of Joe’s/Theo’s mismanagement from some
Also they’ve done absolutely nothing since 2016 with a insanely high payroll every year and now have one of the worst farms in MLB.
Facts get in the way of a good hot take, and this is the internet, so most people always choose to go with the hot take when forced to pick one
That’s why I never use facts. Besides things like facts actually confuse me. That’s another reason I avoid them at all cost.
How many your/you’re posts can we get into this thread?
Arrieta or Darvish at this point?
Also do the Cubs need Nick back?
Joe Maddon is one of the best managers the Cubs have ever had. And I’ve seen a lot of them.
Does he drive you crazy at times? Absolutely.
Play around with the lineup too much? Perhaps.
Does he like to think he’s the smartest guy in the room sometimes? Yes. But the Cubs did win the World Series in 2016? Do you hear any of the players complain about playing for him? The Cubs are one of the top winning teams in baseball over the last 3-4 years, with Maddon at the helm.
Give me a break! Maddon should continue to be the manager regardless of this years results. If they do let him go, the only guy I would want is Girardi.
Honest question, but why, exactly, would you want Girardi? For the life of me I don’t know why he’s the hot name
200 games over .500 as a manager.
Okay, but what makes him a fit for the Cubs?
Since the Yankees dismissed him in favor of someone more up-to-date with modern baseball trends, he’s been railing against the kind of analytics Theo and Co. are well known to be big proponents of
I honestly don’t see a happy marriage there, so why bother?
I don’t really know anything at all so obviously I have no idea why the Cubs would want Girardi as manager.
I doubt he will since he talked about it. He broke the handshake agreement by talking about his contract or even a new deal.
Theo just said that was A bs story
Even then. Most cubs fans want maddon out.
It’s a baseball contract, not Fight Club
He will be the scape goat for all the failures in that front office. Jed and Theo are to blame for this more than anyone else. Maddon does over analyze moments in critical situations, rizzo is over hyped as a star. Cubs have problems, I’m curious to see how they shake up this lame duck squad.