Cubs Fire Quade

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 2, 2011 7:40PM

For weeks the only person who thought Mike Quade would return as Cubs manager next season was Quade himself. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein flew to Florida today to personally break the news to Quade that he isn't in the Cubs' future plans.

The news should have become transparent for Quade after new GM Jed Hoyer expressed admiration for him, but wouldn't commit to bringing him back. Hoyer said the Cubs "owe(d) it" to Quade and his coaching staff to make a decision soon.

+1 for the fast response.

Another managerial candidate who isn't in the Cubs' plans is Ryne Sandberg. Epstein said in a statement the next Cubs manager "must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level." That leaves Sandberg SOL at Clark and Addison, but he may be on the radar of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the Cards have requested permission from the Philadelphia Phillies to speak with Sandberg about their managerial vacancy.

Credit Epstein for not succumbing to nostalgia and giving Sandberg an interview. But will the next manager rent an apartment near Wrigley Field?