Chicago Cubs Rumors: Is manager Joe Maddon’s job really at risk?

Chicago Cubs: The Golden Era of Cubs baseball

Growing up, the Chicago Cubs were known as the ‘Lovable Losers’. That designation far preceded my birth in 1991 – but rang just as true for much of my life. More often than I would have liked, I got the ‘CUBS – Completely Useless By September’ thrown in my face.

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But no more.

Thanks to the work of Epstein and the guidance of Maddon, we are enjoying an unprecedented run of success on the North Side of Chicago. That began in the latter’s first season with the Cubs, when a young, unproven team put together an unexpected second half run en route to 97 wins and a spot in the NL Wild Card game.

The club rode eventual 2015 NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta past the Pirates in that game, and soon after, vanquished the rival Cardinals before falling in the NLCS. The next season, though, Maddon guided his team to a club-record 103 wins and their first World Series title in 108 years.

Last season ended in disappointment, but, really, can we complain? The Cubs were clearly out of gas by the time the postseason rolled around – but somehow managed to scratch and claw their way past the Washington Nationals in the NLDS. In what has become a heated October rivalry, the Dodgers handled the Cubs quickly in the LCS, capping another still exciting season of Chicago baseball.

Chicago Cubs: Maddon has been better than ever in 2018

Anyone looking for a way to criticize Maddon is likely to point to the Cubs’ relative health during his tenure. Aside from Kyle Schwarber‘s devastating knee injury in 2016, this club has largely been on the field from start-to-finish every year.

That certainly has not, though, been the case in 2018.

The Cubs’ biggest offseason additions, Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow, have both missed significant chunks of the regular season. Darvish, of course, turned in just eight starts before being shut down for the year after multiple failed rehab attempts.

Former National League MVP Kris Bryant has played in just six games after the All-Star Break this year. His corner infield partner Anthony Rizzo battled lower back issues early in the season, as well. The two have barely been on the field together at their best – yet, entering September, the Cubs still boast the best record in the National League.

That’s not to mention the horrendous showing from Tyler Chatwood – which left Maddon balancing an overworked bullpen and finding spot starts wherever he can for months on end. Chicago hasn’t enjoyed tremendous fortune this year – but they’re exactly where they need to be with a month left in the regular season.

Chicago Cubs: This job is Maddon’s as long as he wants it

We’re living in a time where loyalty means far less than it used to. A society focused on instant gratification and a ‘what have you done for me lately’ mentality. But I have a message for Cubs fans. Joe Maddon is the right man for this job.

I don’t care about the league-wide trend of flipping proven (expensive) managers for unproven commodities. Last fall, we saw Dusty Baker, Joe Girardi and John Farrell all lose their jobs in lieu of Dave Martinez, Aaron Boone and Alex Cora.

But, as we’ve seen in Washington, doing so is far from a guarantee of success. The Nationals may very well miss the postseason in 2018. Cora and Boone, of course, inherited loaded rosters seemingly destined for October.

Sure, Maddon won’t come cheap after his current contract expires. But you know what? He’s earned every penny. He’ll likely head into 2019 a perfect four-for-four in postseason appearances, three NL Central crowns with at least three NLCS and a World Series title.

Seems like a worthwhile investment if you ask me.