Eric Wedge The New Favorite?

When the Chicago Cubs first interviewed former Indians manager Eric Wedge, it was believed that Wedge was a backup plan in case they lost out on of their leading candidates. The Chicago Cubs lost out on potential favorite Fredi Gonzalez, but their list still includes other strong candidates in Ryne Sandberg, Bob Melvin, Pat Listach, Bob Brenly, and Mike Quade. But according to MLB Network Insider Peter Gammons, he believes that Eric Wedge is actually the favorite to get the Cubs managerial post.

Among the reasons why Gammons thinks Wedge is the favorite is because Wedge is considered to be a teacher of game. Something that Tom Ricketts said has to be a requirement of the next Chicago Cubs manager. Gammons said that Wedge is a hands on manager, that brings about a presence around him that any team would love to have.

For what it is worth, Eric Wedge is the only candidate that will have two interviews already with General Manager Jim Hendry. As Wedge is expected to meet for the second time with Hendry some time before the season is over.

To be honest Eric Wedge may be the best candidate outside of the slim chance that Joe Girardi falls into the Cubs laps. Even if he did, I don’t feel the Cubs should hire him. When Wedge was in Cleveland, he did a good job at working around the young nucleus that they had and progressing them into the playoffs in 2007.  Unfortunately, a lot of the players were either traded or injured and Wedge never got the opportunity to advance with those players beyond the 2007 season.

However, the Cubs don’t figure to lock down a prime candidate till at least three weeks from now. When it is expected that Hendry will conclude his interviews with all the candidates and then pass the final list of two or three candidates Tom Ricketts, and then go from there.