Chicago Cubs: Joe Maddon is the guy to help this team bounce back

Last week, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein informed reporters Joe Maddon would return in 2019. Why was this ever even a question?

Of course, earlier that day, a report indicated Joe Maddon’s job was very much up in the air following an early exit in the postseason. That proved to be false and, thankfully so, for the Chicago Cubs and their fans.

Thank goodness for that.  Every manager has their critics, and some of said criticism is deserved, some not.  Maddon is no exception.  Armchair managers near and far criticized Maddon’s handling of the pitching staff during Game 7 of 2016 World Series.

They focused specifically on his handling of Aroldis Chapman throughout the postseason.  Whether that criticism was fair or not, the fact is the Cubs won.  And results matter.