“One And Done” For Mike Quade

Lets talk about changes. The second half of the season is likely to bring a lot of changes to the Cubs roster. But more importantly, the Cubs potential success or lack thereof in the second half of the season may lead to even bigger changes in the off-season. The changes that most Cubs fans are hoping for are at the general manager spot as well as the managerial position. It is beginning to look more and more likely that there will at least be a manager change for the Cubs this off-season.

Fox Sports insider Ken Rosenthal joined “The Mully and Hanley Show” in his weekly radio segment with the 670 The Score radio show. No surprise, Rosenthal was asked whether or not Quade will be back next season as the Cubs manager. Rosenthal replied with multiple reasons why Quade is looking like a “one and done” manager with the Cubs.

"“Guys, it’s certainly starting to look that way,” he said. “The Dempster thing was not pretty. it’s not Zambrano that had that blow up, it’s Ryan Dempster” , one of the more highly respected, high-character guys in the game. Chicago Tribune"

  Originally, I viewed the Dempster/Quade confrontation as a story that was blown up by the media. But the more I think about what actually happened, this was not a typical confrontation between a manager and a player. Dempster was very animated with his anger in the Cubs manager, and the argument reached to the clubhouse. Though, Quade brought that confrontation on himself. Prior to his last two starts, Quade has given in to the demands of Dempster and let the pitcher do whatever he wants. But after being pulled pre-maturely in each of his last two starts, the frustration with Quade reached it’s breaking point with Dempster. Quade should have taken Dempster into the clubhouse away from the cameras, but instead, the cameras rolled as Dempster went after his manager. The fact that Quade did not take control of the situation, shows that he does not have control of this team. As has been proven the past two seasons with the Cubs, a manager who does not have control of his team is a dangerous one at that.

Even if Tom Ricketts does not fire Quade himself, the Cubs chairman still may opt to part ways with general manager Jim Hendry. If that happens, as Rosenthal points out, Quade will not return as the Cubs manager. By the way, a source close to Ricketts told Tom Loxas of Cubs Insider that he would be “completely shocked” if Hendry returns next season as the Cubs general manager.

"“I know it’s heat of the moment and I know stuff happens but that was disturbing. I like Quade. I’ve said this to you guys before, I would hate to see him get swallowed up in this malaise that they’re in, but considering that they certainly are going to consider changing general managers, well if they bring in a new GM, the new GM will most likely want to pick his manager. Chicago Tribune"

Either way, Quade is in a lose-lose situation. Ricketts will be forced to make some changes after the season and the manager, general manager, and team president positions are candidates for changes. If Ricketts hires a new general manager, then Quade is out of a job and the Cubs will have a new manager. If Ricketts hires a new team president, Quade may still be out of a job and the Cubs will have a new manager. So while Ricketts is not going to fire Quade before Hendry or Crane Kenney, Quade still is not in a comfortable position.