General Manager-Manager Package?

Until the Cubs actually name their next general manager, we will likely be faced with daily rumors that fall on both sides of the spectrum. So far, most of the rumors that have circled around the Cubs general manager opening seems realistic. The “big names” appear to be interested; Billy Beane, Brian Cashman, Theo Epstein, and Andrew Friedman to name a few. But some highly-touted executives are in consideration as well such as Rick Hahn, Kim Ng, Thad Levine, and former Diamondbacks’ general manager Josh Byrnes.

The most recent report suggested that Hahn and Byrnes may be the preliminary favorites for the opening, but, at this point it is too early to speculate on finalists. However, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times does just that. Or at least, names a list of top candidates.

Wittenmyer reported today that Tom Ricketts has spent the last week gathering information on Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees, Andrew Friedman of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Ned Colletti of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wittenmyer notes that the Cubs are trying to “woo” Cashman to come to Chicago and bring Joe Girardi with him as part of a package deal. That would be an interesting scenario. Unlike Cashman, who is a free agent after the season, Girardi is under contract with the Yankees for the next two seasons. Meaning the Cubs would need permission from the Steinbrenners to interview Girardi. Imagine how “tense” that conversation would be if Cashman was making the call to his former bosses asking for permission to speak to their manager.

As for Colletti, Wittenmyer admits that the Cubs may only be interested in the Dodgers’ general manager because of the thought that Colletti would bring Ryne Sandberg in as manager. The fact that this idea is even mentioned in a newspaper is foolish enough, let alone the thought of that scenario actually coming to reality. The Cubs are not going to base their general manager hire off of who they would bring in as their manager. Besides, judging by Ricketts’ criteria, Colletti should not be mentioned as a realistic candidate. The Dodgers’ farm system is mediocre at best, and the free agent signings that he has made are up there with those of former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. In fact, Colletti is considered to be the same “old-style” general manager that Hendry was.

Ideally, I would prefer Epstein, Friedman, or Cashman in that order but I would be very satisfied if Hahn is indeed going to be the next general manager of the Cubs. Bottom-line is as long as the Cubs next general manager is not Byrnes or Colletti, Cubs fans should welcome the next general manager of the Cubs with open arms.