2012 Chicago Cubs

[Dan Michler]

Quade let go with 1 year and $1M left on his contract.  This is about the least surprising news this offseason.  Feel a little bad that Quade waited for decades to get this opportunity and then he got stuck with this bunch of misfits.  On the other hand, I don't think anybody was convinced he was doing a good job.  Hopefully he lands another job soon.

Everybody is speculating Sandberg to replace him.  Epstein did specify that the new manager will need to have major league managerial or coaching experience.  If he is serious about this, I think it removes Sandberg from consideration as Ryno has only managed in the minors.

Francona?  He'll cost a ton and I'm not sure he wants to be part of a rebuilding process.
Bobby Valentine?  He's been dying for a job for years now.
I'm sure there will be some speculation about LaRussa as well.

[pdga#7648]

I don't know anything about Boston, but did Theo and Francona not like each other?  Could Theo go get him as the new Cub Manager?

[pdga#7648]

didn't see your post Dan. Francona may be a good fit tho??

Noway on LaRussa even being speculated. He said he was done with baseball period!  But I know coaches retire only to get the bug again, but I really believe Tony will stay away. He left the way he wanted to leave, a Champion!  Canton will be calling his name as a 1st time ballot winner.

[stpitner]

it makes me wonder how much of the staff will remain.  Rudy Jaramillo was highly touted, but is he worthy of staying?  I don't know how much Dernier was helping guys with stealing bases.  I don't think Sandberg would be the right choice for manager.  I wouldn't mind bringing him in as the bench coach or something to keep learning (similar to Torre/Don Mattingly).  I would laugh if they somehow stole away Joe Girardi from the Yankees.  I really don't know who to recommend in this case.

[Dan Michler]

Doug, nothing will stop the media from speculating LaRussa for every open job the next couple of years.  They do it with everybody, and partly for good reason.  There are a ton of cases where a guy says he's done and then comes back.  Michael Jordan. Phil Jackson.  Favre.  Favre again.  And finally there was also Brett Favre.

I've heard Francona and Epstein were on good terms when things ended in Boston.  Francona's beef is more with the owner John Henry.  Francona certainly makes sense given the qualifications Theo specified he is looking for, and their history together.  We'd have to make him the highest paid manager in baseball.  He's certainly a good manager though.

Scott, the Yankees just extended Girardi 3 years after last season.  I doubt the Cubs want to get into another situation where they have to pay compensation.  It would be funny though.

Doug, the reports are that the Cardinals are going to interview Sandberg for their job.

[pdga#7648]

Doug, nothing will stop the media from speculating LaRussa for every open job the next couple of years.  They do it with everybody, and partly for good reason.  There are a ton of cases where a guy says he's done and then comes back.  Michael Jordan. Phil Jackson.  Favre.  Favre again.  And finally there was also Brett Favre.

Doug, the reports are that the Cardinals are going to interview Sandberg for their job.

that was hilarious about Favre.

and show me where you seen that about Ryno.  I hear they are looking at giving it to Jose Oquendo, a Cardinal for almost 30 years?  Managerial experience with the Dominican World team in 06 and 09 I think?  That will maybe persuade Albert into staying even more. A fellow dominican, he would want to help Jose be successful??

[chefspider]

didn't see your post Dan. Francona may be a good fit tho??
  Canton will be calling his name as a 1st time ballot winner.

That would be Cooperstown, not Canton.

[damonshort]

didn't see your post Dan. Francona may be a good fit tho??
  Canton will be calling his name as a 1st time ballot winner.

That would be Cooperstown, not Canton.

unless there's a Hall of Fame in China...

[stpitner]

I was hearing some names tossed around like Mike Maddux, Greg Maddux (although unlikely since he doesn't have manager or bench experience either).  The name that I like the most is Bob Brenly.  That would be awesome.

[pdga#7648]

didn't see your post Dan. Francona may be a good fit tho??
  Canton will be calling his name as a 1st time ballot winner.

That would be Cooperstown, not Canton.

yea, that too

[pdga#7648]

Doug, the reports are that the Cardinals are going to interview Sandberg for their job.

I saw that, but also saw this...


The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also reported the Cardinals are planning to interview former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo, Memphis manager Chris Maloney, former Gold Glove catcher Mike Matheny and White Sox coach Joe McEwing.

I don't think they will give Francona what he wants to be paid?
I don't think Sandberg gets the job either(just being classy and showing him some respect)
Maloney? no he stays at Memphis and keeps producing winning teams.
McEwing? not a chance.
Matheny? doubt it.

That's leaves Oquendo. He played with them under Whitey Ball Era for 12 years, went to 3 World Series and won 1 as a player. Now has coached for 13 seasons, won 2 WS and lost another, and has managed the Dominican World team, so he has the experience. Of a 162 game season, no, but still has the knowledge, and the attitude to win in St. Louis.
If I was a betting man, I would put money on either Jose, or Francona, if Francona will take what they offer, and not what he wants? He doesn't have to rebuild anything except maybe the bullpen. The offense is already there! I'm leaning towards Oquendo though.

[Dan Michler]

I was hearing some names tossed around like Mike Maddux, Greg Maddux (although unlikely since he doesn't have manager or bench experience either).  The name that I like the most is Bob Brenly.  That would be awesome.

Bob Brenly removed his name from consideration in 2010.  I'm not sure if he'd be enticed to come out of the booth, where he reportedly makes a ton of money as a broadcaster, to manage a team that is in the rebuilding process.  His contract with WGN is up at the end of 2012 though, so it could be a possibility.  I would think he'd be more interested in the Cardinals or Red Sox jobs.

Greg Maddux is just wild speculation.  Same as the Cardinal fans who think Ozzie Smith is going to manage their team.  Mike Maddux does have plenty of coaching experience.  Bobby Valentine has been pushing hard to get another shot in the big leagues, he even went over and managed in Japan to keep his career going.  I would think he'd at least be considered.  Epstein clearly loves to have people around him who he has a history with.  Based on that, you have to think Francona is a real possibility.

My prediction is that Terry Francona is getting hired by either the Cubs or Cardinals.  I think the Cardinals will definitely hire either Francona or Oquendo.  They can't risk hiring some unknown when they'll be trying to resign Pujols this winter.

[Dan Michler]

The supposed candidates so far:  Mike Maddux, Dale Sveum, Pete Mackanin.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7185139/chicago-cubs-boston-red-sox-interview-texas-rangers-mike-maddux

[pdga#7648]

none of them have managerial experience do they? not major league anyway

[Dan Michler]

none of them have managerial experience do they? not major league anyway

Dale Svuem was the Brewers interim manager at the end of the season a couple years ago.  He's the Brewers current bench coach.  Maddux is a longtime pitching coach.  Mackanin is a coach with the Phillies and has Minor League managerial experience.  Epstein has also confirmed he will discuss the Cubs job with Francona.

If the Cards and Cubs both go after Francona, what do you think he chooses?  I suppose it all depends on what he thinks about Epstein, who hired him in Boston.  If they are still tight, the Cubs probably win that competition hands down.  If not, the prospect of taking over a WS champ probably wins out.  Although if they don't get Pujols back, it suddenly doesn't look as promising in St.Louis.

[pdga#7648]

Cubs get Francona.  I honestly believe Oquendo will be the Manager in St. Louis!  and Pujols stays.

[pdga#7648]

and still, I disagree if Pujols goes elsewhere. The Cards will still contend without him. Their young players just proved they are ready for big league baseball, Berkman takes over at 1st base, and with the money Pujols left, they will sign some big name. That pitching staff stays, and gets a huge bonus in Wainwright back. And it seems after Tommy John, most pitchers are the same if not better than before.    But I honestly believe he stays. not just hope and want, but I think he likes it where he is and the team he has in place. He knows what it would mean to join Stan as a Cardinal for life. and I think he wants that!? 

[pdga#7648]

and I'll say within 2 weeks, Francona has the job, after seeing this.....


The Theo Epstein-Terry Francona combo worked in Boston and there's a chance the duo might play in Chicago.

The new Cubs president of baseball operations said he spoke with the former Red Sox manager on Thursday and will speak again to gauge whether Francona is the right fit to be Cubs manager.

"Tito and I have spoken regularly since the end of the season," Epstein said. "We actually spoke today. We are going to sit down together and see if it's a fit.

[stpitner]

Berkman will be 36 at the start of next season.  I don't know how many non-DH years he has left even including first base.  The Cardinals had 90 wins.  The threat of Pujols leaving the lineup could easily drop that to 85 wins or less, and then at that point it's anybody's game to win the central.  It will be a good challenge.

Talk about Tom Rickett's dreamland with what is going on though - he has always talked about modeling a winning team after how the Red Sox did it and broke their curse.  How better than to get their GM, some of the guys that he had surrounding him, and now there's a high likelihood that he might get the same manager too?  wow.  It makes you wonder if the Cubs/Red Sox interleague games are going to suddenly not be so friendly anymore...

[pdga#7648]

Cards signed Berk for 1 more year. I don't think he produces the same numbers he did this year, but he will be productive again.
and Honestly, I watched almost every Cardinal game this year(thanks mlb package thru direct tv) and I dont think I recall Albert winning us 5 games by himself? one in the playoffs, but not too many in the regular season??  and 85 wins in that division may be enough, depending on who signs Fielder. if he is not a Brewer, 85 wins may be hard for Milwaukee to reach?