The Cubs Have A Maddon 2K15 Problem
By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 28, 2014 3:15PM
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said at the end of the season the ballclub was ready to take the next step in its rebuilding program next year. Most people assumed from Epstein’s spin the Cubs would be in the market for an ace pitcher like Jon Lester or other veterans to help guide the developing young players to the next level.
Could the Cubs also be in the market for a new manager? The World Series isn’t over and already speculation over Joe Maddon’s next move has reached hot stove levels. Maddon, viewed by almost every baseball analyst as one of the best managers in the majors, opted out of his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays a couple weeks back. Since then, reports over a possible marriage between Maddon and the Cubs have become more credible. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports the Cubs are one of several teams vying for Maddon’s services next season. As many as 10 teams are looking to hire Maddon as a manager, in an office capacity similar to the “chief baseball officer” position Arizona created for Tony La Russa or Maddon could go into broadcasting for a year. Or Maddon could just sit out 2015 altogether, as suggested by his agent Alan Nero on WSCR-AM.
The Cubs are not talking about the Maddon rumors which may not sit well with Rick Renteria, the team’s current manager. Renteria, who was only hired last year and received a vote of confidence from Epstein at the end of the season, released a statement through his agent Ken Solomon:
“I was hired nearly a year ago to be the Chicago Cubs manager. Notwithstanding all the speculation, I continue to focus my offseason preparation on achieving the goal we established from the start: bringing a championship to Chicago.”
If Epstein decides to say bye-bye to Renteria and bring Maddon aboard, it could trigger a domino effect that could shake up MLB. Bringing Maddon aboard would make the Cubs more attractive to Lester and could possibly entice Kansas City’s James Shields (who played for Maddon at Tampa) to sign with the Cubs. San Francisco Giants pitcher (and former White Sox) Jake Peavy floated the idea of him and Lester as a “package deal.” While Peavy was careful to not mention a specific team, Lester has been the subject of serious interest by the Cubs.
Another factor in the Cubs favor is their current rebuilding plan. It’s slow and steady—often to the chagrin of their long-suffering fan base—but Maddon has already worked with a similar youth movement in Tampa. The Cubs, in a major market, have more resources than the Rays. Coupled with the recently started Wrigley Field renovations, the Cubs could be in a position of sustained success for years to come … if the young players in the pipeline perform to expectations.
In order to sign Maddon, pay the remainder of Renteria’s contract (if he’s released) and chase Shileds or Lester the Ricketts family will need more money. This makes their pending sale of 20 percent of the club worth watching. There have been rumors the Cubs are cash poor; are one of several teams in violation of MLB’s debt services agreement. Not only will the sale give the Rickettses a much-needed cash infusion but the sale could put the final piece in place to hire Maddon without having to worry about the bottom line.
Hot stove season has begun, at least at Clark and Addison.