It seems likely the Cubs are going to go with a rookie manager, one that maybe the front office can influence more.
There seem to be two schools of thought on how to hire a manager.
One is to have a strong or even stubborn (depending which way you look at it) personality such as a Mike Scossia or Tony La Russa type running the team his way.
The other could be a manager that the front office could influence with their views and tools such as data to run the club. This isn’t to say he would be a puppet, it’s just the way some clubs are going with their field bosses.
Unless they turn around and hire Terry Francona, it seems Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are leaning towards the latter.
That wouldn’t rule out Mike Maddux for instance in becoming more of a force later on in his managing career. For now it does seem that the Cubs are looking to influence their new hire in the way they want things done from the beginning.
It also seems somewhat clear that Theo wants Terry Francona to land on his feet, and even get the Cardinal gig if it means he wouldn’t have to turn him away. I doubt there are any icky feelings over the way Boston went out. I just sense Theo and Jed want to start with a fresh approach here in Chicago.
It is somewhat interesting that Theo thought Franconca was a good fit for his first hire in Boston due to the fact he had previous managing experience. Theo thought experience was an important factor for a market such as Boston.
You have to wonder what makes Chicago different? In this instance it could be more about getting a new skipper who would be more likely to cooperate with the new organizational vision. Boston didn't need such a dramatic overhaul at the time as do these Cubs.
I don’t know which way I want the Cubs to go at this point. I was leaning towards Maddux earlier in the process, but the more I hear of the other candidates the more I like them too.
No matter who gets the job, expect the next Cubs manager to be on the same page as the front office...whether he likes it or not.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Jed Hoyer, Mike Maddux, Terry Francona, Theo Epstein
It's exactly why guys like Bob Brenly and Bobby Valentine aren't candidates.
How do you feel about that? It's fine with me. I want some fresh faced, fresh approach guy, to go with new direction.
I'm okay with it because it's going to do mostly with lineup composition. They'll use stats to try and maximize production through the batting order. The guys they'll get won't be bunting or doing a lot of hit/run, stealing bases anyway so I think most of the "suggestions" from the top will be about who bats where.
Hmm I wonder if Maddux would try to adopt some of the aggresive base running that R Washington uses? Wonder if that is a plus or minus for Theoyer?
VERY interesting article Tom .... I'm going to noodle this one for a bit.
Wasn't some of the chirping in the Boston media about the constant chatter directed at Francona?
Is it the "job" of the front office to influence decisions made every day by the manager? Isn't that one of the criticisms of Jerry Jones (hanging around on the sidelines) and Crane Kenney (being in the clubhouse "too much")
It's different for Scotty Bowman to suggest something to Quenneville ... it's quite another for Stan to tell Q who to play on a given night.
Hendry made it apparent that he wanted Colvin to get playing time by trading Fuke ... but Q ignored it. Hendry did the same thing with Baker favorite Neifi Perez .... had to trade him to get Dusty to stop using him.
You see it all the time, but usually the manager does the opposite anyway. I also remember J Krause having to trade J Caffey so P Jax would play Kukoc more.
As to whether they want someone who can be manipulated, there were all the interviews with Mackanin saying "I was a White Sox fan, but now root for the Cubs."
Since the Boston Herald reported that "Sox talk to Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin" did he tell them "I've always been a Sox fan, just the other Sox?"
Maddux may at least have more backbone.
Also, since it was said that the Sox (Red) interviewed Ryno while Epstein was still there, maybe Epstein already heard what he had to.
Businesses constantly using sporting analogies to explain things, so now its time for the Cubs to apply business principles to their club.
By definition of any business — and a sports franchise is a business, let's not forget that — the Chairman and board of directors, PBO, GM, and on field manager are supposed to work in concert, as a team. Based on input from the Chairman and the BOD, the PBO establishes the direction and cultural; the GM finds and acquires the talent/assets to implement the desired direction and cultural; and the field manager and his coaches to utilize the talent he/she is given in the most optimal way to achieve the goal...win the World Series.
Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the PBO and the GM to give the field manager all the tools — players, stats, scouting reports, facilities, etc. — necessary so that the team can win a game, a division, a pennant, and a World Series ring.
Since they are a team within a team they need to bounce ideas, strategies, and tactics off each other. So it doesn't surprise me in the least that Theo and Jed would want to have a manager that they can trust, will take their input based on the reports given to them and work with — in harmony. It's not to say there aren't going to be disagreements between the three of them.
I believe Theo has clearly and articulately stated how the Cubs are to be perceived and how they are expected to play baseball based on Ricketts philosophies, which he has clearly stated. So now it is up to Theo and Jed to find the right manager who fits this philosophy.
I am really surprised that not more businesses, and sports franchises, don't utilize a deeper interviewing process like the one Theo and Jed are implementing to find employees to fit the cultural and philosophy. That's why there's constant turnover of field managers.
Yeah Jeff, too many old school guys rely on a feel or conversation or reputation to make them comfortable enough to hire a manager. It seems much too important to these guys and I trust their process.
Mike Maddux just took himself out of running for Boston job but said nothing about cubs job??? Interesting, I think I saw him at Dunkin donuts today, I also think I saw Cj Wilson at taco bell, and Prince Fielder at Wiener's Circle.
Couldn't have been Prince, he's a vegetarian Jeff. Funky Boy!
Well if they want a manager they can dote on, then why didn't they consider Sandberg after all? Seems like they are confused on how to proceed.
I doubt confusion is anywhere near those offices. They know what they want. They want someone with some MLB coaching experience. I really don't get why Sandberg didn't spend a year on someone's staff?
I will be shocked if Mike Maddux is not the man.
I would be surprised but not shocked. Sveum is a really good candidate as is Alomar.
If the Cubs go with a rookie manager, one that maybe the front office can influence more as you say, then my guess would be they offer the job to Alomar. He seems like the perfect fit for the type leader that Theo and Hoyer are looking for.
Again, not a bad choice in the bunch, but Alomar didn't sound like a huge analytical guy?