Chicago Cubs: My top five candidates to replace Joe Maddon

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It sure seems like Chicago Cubs skipper Joe Maddon has stood at the top of the home dugout at Wrigley Field for the last time. So, who replaces him?

Even those who wants to see Joe Maddon replaced as the Chicago Cubs manager next season, at the very least, have to give the game’s oldest active manager credit for bringing Chicago the World Series championship in 2016. Even those who think he made mistakes during that series credit Maddon for ending the 108 year drought of a championship – usually.

Three years later, with his team desperately clinging to long-shot hopes of earning a Wild Card berth in the National League, the narrative has changed. A four-game sweep at the hands of the rival St. Louis Cardinals assured the team won’t win the division crown in 2019.

So here it is – we’re likely watching the last handful of games Maddon will ever manage for the Chicago Cubs. That narrative will dominate the national and local media for the next week, and with good reason. There are several prominent managerial vacancies throughout the game – and Chicago would rank among the top gigs in the game for a lot of would-be candidates.

People all have very strong opinions on who should replace the two-time Manager of the Year. But here are my top five ideal (in ranked order) candidates to be the next skipper of the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs: Dave Martinez makes sense – but would he leave Washington?

Dave Martinez is currently managing a Washington Nationals team that has been pounding the competition ever since the All-star break. Martinez’s second-half success only makes him more valuable an asset even if Washington decides to get rid of him next season.

The Chicago Cubs was his first organization when he was drafted in 1983. It’s completely fair to say he was brought up “Cub” which means making it to Wrigley Field on the team or managing the team is tantamount to stardom.

Martinez knows what it’s like to work under the “new” Cubs management as he served under Maddon as bench coach for the Cubs and was even part of the 2016 championship coaching staff.

Martinez left the organization in 2017. But if there ever was an heir apparent to Maddon, it’s Martinez. Although he never set any huge records in his time as a player, Martinez wouldn’t mind getting his chance to be the skipper and perhaps lead his former team to glory.

The Nationals skipper is only 54 years old and still young enough to mix it up with the young players which is something the Cubs would want going forward. I think a few other candidates may just have a better edge than Martinez because of timing and expectation.

Chicago Cubs: Will the Cubs go young and popular?

4. David Ross / Mark DeRosa – You get two candidates for the price of one on this deal because both of these candidates are so outside the box, its not even funny, but I have to mention them because there are rumors the Cubs could go young.

These picks are strictly timing and popularity if you ask me because there is momentum gathering and pressure from fans and the press, especially where David Ross is concerned. It’s the timing of his rise in popularity and Maddon’s fall from grace that is making him look so attractive.

I also think this is new Cubs fans that don’t know anything more than the 2016 Chicago Cubs and Ross’ role in that victory that are pushing this scenario.

Ross is of course the former retired catcher of the Chicago Cubs who played his last season as a Cub during the championship. He was known for keeping his cool and guiding his teammates in tense situations, which is something Cubs management has expressed a greater need for.

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Derosa played with Cubs in 2007 and 2008 and then five other teams before retiring and becoming an analyst on MLB Central. While the attention of fans and the media is on Ross, Derosa’s lack of coaching background makes the 44 year old broadcaster just as risky a pick as the Cub-famous catcher. If the Cubs want to go young then it could be either of these guys heading to Wrigley next.

To hype the situation even more, the Cubs front office has refused to discuss whether they are considering Ross as the new manager of the Cubs in the ultimate hype-party. I mean, why not just say there’s no chance David Ross will be our manager? Unless your considering it or hyping it.

While Ross was an experienced player, he comes to the manager position with no coaching background or former managerial experience. Like Derosa, Ross has been playing analyst too but for ESPN since 2017.

I think these are bad choices because of the lack of experience, but I’m rating them higher in the possible likelihood to get the job over Martinez, because both are very popular among fans and we know the fans buy tickets and subscriptions.

Chicago Cubs: He’s been waiting for the job – right?

3. Joe Girardi – Remember what I said about growing up “Cub”? Girardi played for the Chicago Cubs twice in his career and has been turning down jobs left and right (waiting for his chance to be the skipper of the North Siders?)

Especially under this new management, Girardi wants to bring another championship to Chicago and etch his name in the Wrigley history books. I believe he is the top candidate for the job and Girardi likely wouldn’t argue.

In 2009, Girardi led the New York Yankees to the World Series and won his first and only World Series title as a manager. Girardi’s managerial average during the regular season was a .554 and a postseason average of .538. So Girardi not only has playing time with the Cubs, he has the experience of a managing a championship team.

Don’t let the news of Girardi managing Team USA in next summer’s Olympic games in Tokyo fool you into thinking, he’s not interested in hearing offers. Girardi already has gotten “permission” to listen to any MLB offers that may just happen to come across his Team USA desk.

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Chicago Cubs: Maddon’s teacher takes his place?

2. Mike Scioscia – If the rumors are true, the 60-year-old Scioscia is looking to get back in the game after leaving the Los Angeles Angels organization in 2018 after 18 seasons with the Halos.

In 1999, Terry Collins resigned late in the season as the Angels manager and Joe Maddon was made interim manager until Scioscia arrived. At that point, Scioscia kept Maddon on staff as an assistant until 2006 when Maddon took the big job with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Ever wonder where Maddon learned his unorthodox style? Scioscia wrote the book that Maddon is following.

That may be good news or bad news for Cubs fans, depending on if you liked Maddon’s quirkiness but if Scioscia gets the job, expect more of the same. Could Maddon’s former mentor and teacher be coming back to MLB but to take his student’s job?

It may not be as far-fetched as you may think. Scioscia’s family has had some interaction with the Cubs organization as his son Matthew played baseball for Notre Dame and was later traded to the Cubs in 2014. While he is no longer part of the organization, Scioscia is not completely unfamiliar with the Chicago Cubs and brings a big, historical, baseball name with a World Series championship in his pocket as well.

Move over Girardi, if Scioscia is interviewing for the job, I like his chances more than yours.

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Top candidate to replace Maddon

1. John Farrell – Farrell is no stranger to managing as he has done work with the Toronto Blue Jays (2011-2012) and the Boston Red Sox (2013-2017). Farrell comes to the table with two championships under his belt, both won with the Red Sox (2007, 2013). His average is very much like Girardi’s with a .517 regular season record and .522 postseason record.

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The reason I think Farrell will be the one chosen as the Cubs next skipper is because of his relationship with Cubs president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein. Both obviously have strong Boston ties – and Farrell served as the pitching coach for the 2007 Red Sox – a club that brought the city another title.

The Cubs president of baseball operations already knows all about Farrell. He doesn’t have to tell him what he wants or what he expects; if Farrell is interviewing, it’s because he’s exactly what Epstein wants for the Cubs moving forward.

It doesn’t hurt that two of Farrell’s sons are currently working for the Cubs organization; one as a scout and the other a minor league coordinator. Do you think that Uncle Theo Epstein had anything to do with those particular hiring? I’ll let you be the judge.

Farrell has been relatively quiet since 2017, serving as a Cincinnati Reds scout and doing TV work on ESPN and Fox. Farrell not only has the celebrity thing down pat (after his analyst stints and the media circus in Boston) but has that strong relationship with Epstein that can’t be ignored.

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Epstein is not looking for a manager to win in seven seasons, he needs a championship now. Why not look to someone you trust and you know can deliver? After all, it could be both their jobs if Farrell doesn’t.

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