Chicago Cubs have a big decision to make in replacing Dave Martinez

With Dave Martinez getting his first big-league managerial gig in Washington, the Chicago Cubs face a critical question in finding his replacement.

The Chicago Cubs knew this day would come. For what seems like forever, Dave Martinez has been interviewing for open managerial vacancies. And, at long last, according to multiple reports, he has his shot. Martinez appears to be heading to the Washington Nationals on a three-year deal, replacing Dusty Baker.

Martinez, who has served as Joe Maddon‘s bench coach for nearly a decade, followed from Tampa to Chicago, winning a pair of pennants during that time – as well as the 2016 World Series. Now, he’s tasked with ending the Nationals’ first-round postseason woes.

2018 represents his best shot at doing so. After next season, Washington stands to lose two of the biggest parts of its offense in Daniel Murphy and superstar Bryce Harper. Martinez inherits a clubhouse that is reportedly unhappy with ownership’s dismissal of Baker after the team fell to the Cubs in the NLDS.

Chicago, meanwhile, cleaned house after an embarrassing NLCS performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team parted ways with pitching coach Chris Bosio, hitting coach John Mallee and third base coach Gary Jones. Assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske took over the role of hitting coach for the Los Angeles Angels, leaving another hole.

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Theo Epstein addressed these, bringing in a pair of Red Sox coaches in Brian Butterfield and Chili Davis – two of the most well-respected coaches in the game. Jim Hickey appears set to rejoin Maddon as the team’s new pitching coach. But now, he faces perhaps one of the most challenging fills of all – a new bench coach.

A balancing act in the clubhouse

There are plenty of quality candidates to fill the role – that’s far from the issue. The New York Yankees chose to not bring back Joe Girardi – despite leading the team to the brink of the World Series.

Baker is available. With how Washington bungled his dismissal, it cost him the chance at several managerial vacancies that existed at season’s end. But it’s far-fetched to suggest he would take a bench coach job at this point in his career. Actually, it’s downright stupid.

One big name that could make sense is former Red Sox manager John Farrell. He has familiarity with Davis and Butterfield – but we’ll see how that plays out. Both of his sons are members of the Cubs organization, as well.

One name that keeps popping up – at least on social media – is David Ross. The former fan favorite, who played a critical role in the clubhouse during the team’s 2016 season, spent the season working for ESPN in a commentator role. But he has long been considered a future big-league manager.

Multiple times, we heard how the team was lacking the same energy this season. Ross could be a perfect answer to that. He knows when to be positive and when to hold peoples’ feet to the fire. It will come down to whether or not he’s ready for the grind of Major League Baseball just one year after retiring to spend more time with his family.

Staying in-house may be the safe bet

Or, Chicago could do what I consider to be the safest thing: stay in-house. Bringing in any type of big-name presence will only undercut the authority of Maddon. With the media lambasting him for his comments prior to the coaching staff shake-up, a prominent bench coach would only lend fuel to the fire about his being on the ‘hot seat.’

When you win two division titles, reach three-straight League Championship Series and bring home a World Series title – you’re not on the hot seat. So let’s just get past that right now.

Before Martinez joined the Cubs’ coaching staff, Doug Dascenzo held a spot. He then moved to an organizational role as an outfield and base running instructor – working with both the minor and major league teams. Brandon Hyde moved from bench coach to first base coach in the process.

Adding Dascenzo back to the big-league staff and utilizing clubhouse favorite Hyde as the new bench coach ensures some continuity for a team that is still searching for its post-championship identity.

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Whether Theo and Jed go outside the organization or choose to promote from within, one thing is for sure. Having a bench coach who owns the clubhouse while bolstering Maddon’s effectiveness as the leader of this team might be the biggest decision made this entire offseason.