REPORT: Jim Leyland steps down, how does this affect the Cubs’ managerial search?

Two days removed from the Detroit Tigers failing to reach the World Series, Jim Leyland will announce he will step down as the Tigers manager at a 11:30 a.m. ET news conference, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal.

Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland addresses the media prior to game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Leyland, 68, joined the Tigers in 2005 and managed the Tigers to the 2006 World Series appearance in his first year. In leading the team to the AL pennant, he became the seventh manager in Major League Baseball history to win pennants in both the AL and NL.

He also was named the AL Manager of the Year and joined Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox as the only men to win the award in both leagues. With his eight seasons in Detroit, he led the Tigers to three straight AL Central division titles (2011-2013, four ALCS appearances, and two AL pennants.

There are now five teams with manager vacancies: the Cubs, Mariners, Reds, Nationals, and Tigers, and two of those teams were in the postseason in 2013.

Will another managerial vacancy affect the Cubs search?

All five teams are at different stages of development and have different criteria for who they want for the job. The Tigers and the Reds are ready to win now, while the Nationals are on the cusp in a less than stellar NL East division, and the Mariners and Cubs are developing young talent in two of the toughest divisions in baseball.

Should the Cubs pursue Leyland or work quickly to sign a new manager before the lure of Detroit and Cincinnati scoops them up?

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