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Joe Maddon could win another World Series before the Chicago Cubs
Joe Maddon has his hands full as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels. Can he work his magic and win another World Series before the Chicago Cubs?
In a move that no one is surprised about, Joe Maddon has agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal to manage the Los Angeles Angels. One of the reasons this should come as no surprise is the fact that Maddon got his start in baseball with the Angels, who initially hired him as a scout once he was done trying to play.
He worked his way up through the Angels minor league system as a coach and eventually became a coach on the big league level. He also took over as manager of the big league club on two separate occasions in interim roles in1996 and 1999, racking up a 27-24 record between the two stints. Going back just feels like “going home” or “coming full circle” for a guy who seems to appreciate symbolic meanings and circular thought.
The other reason this announcement should come as no surprise is the fact that Maddon is one of the best managers in the game, regardless of your personal feelings about his bullpen management, petting zoos and wine tasting.
While things didn’t work out with a fairy tale ending for Maddon and the Cubs, he was the right man at the right time, taking a perennial loser to heights they had never known in any of our lifetimes. Joe Maddon concluded his run as Chicago manager with a 471-339 record and his departure leaves the Chicago Cubs in a state of flux. For his part, he takes over an Angels team that has plenty of questions – with far fewer answers at their disposal.
All this naturally leads to the questions- which club will win a World Series first, which club is a better fit, and which club is better suited to Maddon’s specific skills and abilities?
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs still have some big-time talent
While the offseason will bring changes to both clubs that will affect their respective futures in 2020 and beyond, it’s possible to do some prophesying based on what we already know. The Cubs have the pieces in place needed to compete at a high level and, as the Nationals just showed the entire world, you just need a ticket to the dance to have a chance to win the grand prize. Get hot at the right time and you never know what can happen. In that regard, you just need to be able to make the postseason.
Looking at both the Angels and the Cubs currently, the latter seems to have a much easier path to the World Series, as the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox don’t stand in their way. The Angels not only have to deal with Houston in the American League West, but they’ll also match up with a strong Oakland club, as well. The Cubs do have a tough division, but the Cardinals and Brewers aren’t the Astros.
There’s also the Wild Card berths to think of and, in the American League, that means constantly thinking about the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Indians, Twins and even those pesky A’s. Even with injuries and disappointment in 2019, the Cubs were in playoff position well into September, scuffling to the finish line in the last two weeks. That’s not something the Angels can come close to saying as their season was essentially over before it began. Easier path to the playoffs currently: Cubs.
In terms of fit, the Cubs were obviously a great fit for Joe Maddon in 2015, but perhaps they’ve outgrown his unique set of skills. If that’s the case, are the Angels currently in a better position to utilize what he has to offer?
I wouldn’t say so, as the Angels have a lot of veterans and a $170 million payroll without much to show for their money. Plus, they were 72-90 this past season with an aging club and middling/bad minor league system, as opposed to the 2014 Cubs whose minor league system ranked as highly as anyone and were poised to promote a ton of position player stars.
Chicago Cubs: Joe Maddon will get to manage the best player in baseball
Maddon will have the honor of coaching the best player in baseball in Mike Trout, but he did have Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras in Chicago. After Trout, there’s a serious drop-off in talent, as Shohei Ohtani is your next-best player. While Ohtani could be a really good hitter and pitcher, he’s also coming off a major injury and has to be used a bit differently because of his two-way status.
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The Angels also feature a now way-past-his-prime Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun and Brian Goodwin, but none of those names match up with the Cubs guys at this point. Their pitching staff doesn’t exactly spark fear in the hearts of anyone, either. Still, advantage Cubs.
I also still think Maddon’s best attributes – dealing with players and getting the most out of guys – could be very useful in Chicago, although the hire of David Ross could have a positive effect on the Cubs as well. Maddon will no doubt get the most out of Ohtani, Trout, and maybe even some other youngsters or veterans-alike, but it still feels like Maddon was a good fit for many of the players on the Cubs roster.
It may not have worked out and may very well have been time for a change, but that doesn’t mean that he had lost the players or their brains/hearts. While a Ross or Joe Espada might be able to right the ship in Chicago, Joe Maddon is a proven winner who has been great wherever he’s been. Advantage- Joe and the Angels.
In terms of the original question – who wins first, Cubs or Angels? I think the answer is still the Cubs if they make the right moves, get a leadoff guy, sign an ace and have things fall their way. However, don’t rule out what Broad Street Joe can accomplish in the right place with the right guys. As Cubs fans, we have already seen that brilliant show.
Next. Cubs Top Prospect is.... dark
Regardless of who wins first and how Joe does, there will be no ill will from Cubs fans, who want nothing but the best for the guy who brought us the first title in over a century. Okay, maybe there might be some you can’t please everyone, right?