Which Chicago Cubs benefit the most from the Ross hire?

Now that David Ross is unofficially next Chicago Cubs manager, it makes sense to expect some players to be very excited and primed for a monster 2020.

With the departure of Joe Maddon and the void left by the vacancy of the big chair in the manager’s office, the franchise was in a holding pattern that saw players, team employees and even fans in a state of angsty flux over who the next manager would be. With reports coming in that David Ross will be hired as manager, the Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves and their fans on solid, albeit comfortable ground.

That being said, the hire of Ross will no doubt be seen by some as more of the “winner’s trap” mentality of the last couple seasons. One of the reasons that idea might be foolish, however, is the notion that the rapport Ross already has with many Cubs could lead them to be more focused and productive. This is not disrespect to newly departed manager Joe Maddon, but more a feather in the cap of a guy who garnered respect and love in the clubhouse as a player.

“Grandpa Rossy” will have a positive impact on many of the players currently with the Cubs, so much so that many might even have career years with the transition to Ross in the big chair. On the flipside, personalities or players Ross didn’t see eye-to-eye with may find themselves being shopped or jettisoned by the team in an attempt to recreate the winning formula and clubhouse chemistry that served the 2016 Cubs so well.