Eric Wedge to interview with Chicago next week for job

Sep 27, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager

(right) stands in the dugout during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

According to multiple reports, including one from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald, departed Seattle Mariners skipper Eric Wedge will interview with the Cubs’ front office for the Chicago managerial vacancy sometime next week.

"What’s known thus far is that the Cubs have interviewed four candidates to replace the fired Dale Sveum, and they’ll meet sometime next week with former big-league skipper Eric Wedge."

The 45-year old Wedge resigned as the manager of the Mariners after the season due to philosophical differences with the front office, according to multiple reports. In time at the helm of both the Mariners and the Indians, he has compiled a record of 774-846 (.478).

The other candidates include Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo – who the team will have to meet with after the World Series ends next week, the San Diego Padres’ bench coach Rick Renteria, Tampa Bay bench coach and Joe Maddon right-hand man Dave Martinez, as well as Manny Acta and A.J. Hinch.

This managerial search has been very different than the one that ended with the hiring of Dale Sveum two years ago, as pointed out by Levine.

"Epstein has made good on his vow of privacy this time around, operating under the cone of silence."

 Levine also says that for several reasons, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi was the organizational favorite, at least in the eyes of the media and onlookers. However, now that he has re-signed for four years in New York, Girardi will look on as the team attempts to find a successor to Sveum capable of righting a ship that has listed dangerously during the recent rebuilding process.