MLB Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Are Heavy Favorites To Land Joe Maddon

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With manager Joe Maddon opting out of the final year of his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, it seems like every team in the major leagues is interested in his services. That list includes the Chicago Cubs, who already have their own manager in place. Even though first-year manager Rick Renteria did a fine job last season, he just doesn’t bring what Maddon does to the table.

All signs point to the Cubs making a strong run at Maddon. First of all, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein interviewed Maddon for the Red Sox job in 2003 before hiring Terry Francona. He knows Maddon and really likes his baseball acumen. Additionally, Maddon is a very sabermetrics-minded coach, which fits with the current Cubs philosophy.

On top of those signs, it seems like Maddon has been considering Chicago for a while now. He commented on how much he loved the atmosphere at Wrigley Field when his Rays visited last season, and said how impressive it was that the stadium was packed on a Friday afternoon. That’s a stark contrast from what he’s used to in Tampa Bay.

The Chicago Sun-Times says that there is mutual interest between Maddon and the Cubs, so it could be a matter of when, not if, they hire him on as their next manager. There is obviously a lot yet to do for the team to land him, especially since reports from HardballTalk say he is seeking a five-year, $25 million deal.

However, all signs seem to point to a deal getting done eventually. The New York Post has gone as far to say the Cubs are “runaway favorites” to land the manager. All of this talk has to be getting Cubs fans excited because this move would also point to the Cubs’ front office thinking the team can win starting in 2015.

A good manager can make a 5-6 game difference, and the team is already going to be improved next season. With so much momentum building, including a possible Maddon hire, the Cubs could be a competitive team starting next season. It’s important to note that reports are saying the Cubs are interested in keeping Renteria within the organization in some capacity if they’re able to hire Maddon.

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