Chicago Cubs: How can anyone think Joe Girardi is the right guy?

The book is closed on Joe Maddon’s tenure as the manager of the Chicago Cubs. What comes next? That’s the question Theo Epstein must now answer.

The final weekend of the regular season for the Chicago Cubs confirmed what many fans already knew: Joe Maddon would not return as manager for the 2020 season. Since the announcement, names have been flying around, and one of them is a bit peculiar.

Internally, Epstein has his eye on a few different familiar faces. David Ross, Will Venable, and Mark Loretta will all interview for the role, according to team officials.

One notable omission is pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. Hottovy moved from the front office to the dugout in 2019 – bringing his analytical skills to Maddon’s coaching staff. But that’s not the weirdest one in all this, especially given how Maddon’s tenure came to a close.

The outlier I mentioned? Joe Girardi. Epstein was asked about Girardi at the end of year press conference, and he sort of avoided the question. Girardi has confirmed his interest in the Cubs’ job and made it very clear that he would listen if called.