Morning Marquee: Cubs to announce Joe Maddon today at 1 pm CT

All the drama of the last week for the Chicago Cubs will have it’s official payoff today as they announce Joe Maddon as their 54th manager. While there is still a chance of the Tampa Bay Rays filing tampering charges, the Cubs will now be able to start moving forward towards 2015, a season that already had fans excited before Maddon took the helm.

With one of the best managers in the game, a top five farm system, and money to spend? The expectations for this team skyrocketed with the hire, warranted or not. One of the biggest focuses of today’s announcement will be the discussion of the future of current Cubs’ coaches, especially Chris Bosio. All of Maddon’s staff is under contract in Tampa Bay, with Dave Martinez being the only “exception”. If he is passed over for the opening created by Maddon, he will be free to explore other opportunities.

Bosio, who has become one of the most well respected pitching coaches in the league, has drawn interest from the Minnesota Twins, who just recently named Paul Molitor to take over managerial duties in the twin cities. The Cubs would have to grant permission for Bosio to speak with them, which is unlikely unless Maddon is certain he will go in a different direction.

Alan Nero, Maddon’s agent, spoke to MLB radio on Sunday to discuss his clients hire with the Chicago Cubs. He called the tampering idea “silly”, and that the Cubs were by the book in speaking to Maddon. Nero said the the Cubs would not even speak to him until they had confirmation of Maddon’s opt out in writing from MLB.

The Baltimore Orioles and Nick Markakis are in the works of a multi-year deal to keep him an Oriole. After declining his pricey option, the Orioles made it clear they hoped to work out a deal to bring Markakis back to Baltimore. He’s played his entire nine year career there, and was a key part of this year’s division winning team.

Here is what you may have missed:

‘Twins may have interest in the Cubs’ Chris Bosio’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Joe Maddon’s agent talks Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays’ – Cubbies Crib

Nick Markakis, Orioles talking multi-year deal’ – FS MLB Baseball

‘Braves to offer Santana qualifying offer’ – Tomahawk Take

‘Arizona Diamondbacks open to dealing Miguel Montero’ – Call to the Pen