San Diego Padres request permission to interview Chicago Cubs’ Jason McLeod

The San Diego Padres have requested permission to interview Chicago Cubs’ Director of Scouting Jason McLeod for their vacant general manager position, reports FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal.

The list features several strong candidates, including McLeod, that have long been considered up-and-coming general manager candidates. While the Padres have requested permission to interview McLedo there are no reports at this time that Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein will allow such an interview to take place.

If the Cubs denied the Padres the interview they would be on the other side of the table as they were denied the opportunity to interview Torey Lovullo last winter for the managerial vacancy on the North Side.

The Cubs might be in a real tough position here, as it would be extremely hard to tell a man as talented as McLeod that he can’t go for for this big opportunity. It always up to the person, however, and Cubs fans might have to hope that McLeod wants to stick with the farm system he dramatically improved. It’s possible McLeod would want to stay with the club to watch his prospects turn into stars and Major Leaguers as well.

With McLeod’s recent success rebuilding the Cubs’ farm system, he is on the fast-track to be a general manager and it is hard to envision Epstein denying him this opportunity.