Chicago Cubs: My top five candidates to replace Joe Maddon

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.