Rick Renteria breaks the silence, focusing on the Cubs amidst rumors

The silence within the Chicago Cubs organization regarding the Joe Maddon situation was finally broken on Monday. And the one to speak up was probably the least likely of them all.

Rick Renteria himself. 

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Through his agent Ken Solomon, Renteria released the following statement:

"“I was hired nearly a year ago to be the Chicago Cubs manager,” the statement read. “Notwithstanding all the speculation, I continue to focus my off-season preparation on achieving the goal we established from the start: bringing a championship to Chicago.” h/t Bruce Miles, Daily Herald"

The man whose job may, or may not be on the line, is the first from the Cubs to break the silence since the Maddon rumors began to swirl. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been silent, although they may not have been still, possibly traveling to meet with Maddon in Florida. 

Following the statement, Solomon added he nor Renteria will have any further comments at this time.

Renteria, by all accounts, achieved exactly what the Cubs were looking for in his first year. The club improved from 66 wins last season, to 73 in 2014. The core duo of Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo had bounceback, All-Star seasons. Even after seeing the two-fifths of the rotation were traded away at the trade deadline, Renteria kept the Cubs competitive against all challengers.

But this isn’t about what Renteria did do. It’s about what Maddon has done, and can do in this case. I had a little fun with how far he could take the Cubs if he took the job, but by all accounts you have to think there are a few who believe that. As I wrote it, I actually believed it a bit possible myself.

Maddon’s track record isn’t speculation. He was successful with young teams, in a small-market. Five 90-win seasons for a team that generally had one of the five lowest payrolls in baseball. The Cubs, in the same timeframe as Maddon was in Tampa Bay, had one 90-win campaign. And you would have had to scroll up to near the top of that payroll list to find that Cubs team.

Aug 25, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon (70) prior to a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Renteria is in a tough position-with no power over any of it-as the Cubs possibly look into bringing in Maddon to replace him. Renteria making a statement is a classy move, because he’s very aware of the situation. He could have chosen another route. And the Cubs, if even slightly interested, have no choice but to remain silent. If they pursue Maddon publically, and don’t get him, well that’s not going to be pretty. Chasing the pretty girl at the bar while your wife is next to you, then trying to take her home when you don’t get the pretty girl? No. Just not going to work.

And if they were to endorse Renteria as many others did, and then go after Maddon on the sly and get him, no manager in the future for the Cubs would ever feel “safe”, no matter what the front-office says.

The statement may be the last we hear about this in Chicago until the Cubs either hire Maddon and part with Renteria, or Maddon makes a decision on his future to go in another direction. All we can do now is wait for possibly the biggest free agent news the Cubs will make all winter to happen.

Keep an eye on Theo’s complexion. If he looks tan, it may be an indicator.