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.

Chicago Cubs: You’d expect one or both of these guys to be pretty psyched

The first group of players who have to be pretty gung-ho about Ross taking over is the catchers as a unit. Ross was a catcher during his playing days and played with Willson Contreras during his rookie season in 2016. Contreras has always been an explosive player on the offensive side, but his defensive metrics improved a bit in 2019 when he was healthy and on the field.

If Ross and the front office like what they saw from Contreras, there could be reason to believe that the two-time All-Star could have another great season and take the next jump forward as the best all-around catcher in the game. He would also need to stay healthy as well, but maybe his rotation and usage behind the plate is something to keep an eye on once Ross takes over.

That being said, Contreras may not be part of the equation going forward if the front office and Ross aren’t smitten with the passionate Venezuelan backstop as the man. If they’d rather use Contreras in a blockbuster trade, he would certainly have a ton of value.

Ross could prefer the backup from 2018 and 2019, Victor Caratini, whose offense and defense are seen as productive and positives. Caratini had some hot stretches in 2019 at the plate and his pitch framing has been superior to Contreras.

Even if no one is moved in a trade and the Cubs go with both guys as a tandem again in 2019, you’d have to think the catchers would benefit the most from a great modern leader, pitch caller, framer, and teammate as their new manager.

Chicago Cubs: The big lefty might be the happiest man in the Cub clubhouse

When David Ross was signed to a contract with the Cubs in December of 2014, many thought Ross was just a glorified personal catcher and caddie for Jon Lester. Some even looked at the move as a way to entice the southpaw to sign with the Cubs in the first place. After the 2016 season, no one thought that about the career back-up who became a folk legend in Chicago.

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Fast-forward to 2019 and Ross will be brought back to the team where so many good memories exist from the last time he was crotch-bumping and scooter-maneuvering his way through the clubhouse.

If there’s one guy he knew and had a positive effect on as a player, it was for sure Lester. As a personal catcher of sorts with the Red Sox and then Cubs, Ross was one of the few guys who could get Lester to calm down when umpires pissed him off or when he was too hard on himself about not making pitches.

While the relationship will have to be a little bit different because Ross will no longer be wearing gear to the mount for visits, Ross has the unwavering respect of Lester. By proxy, that means Ross will have the respect of all the Cubs pitchers, including all the pitchers not with the team the last time Ross sported the tools of ignorance.

The respect that the pitchers and the position players who were with the team had and still have for Ross will not only endear Ross to the new players, it will also steer them clear of the “winner’s trap” so many are worried about.

Ross won’t always be the goofy guy that fans saw, but also the stern commander who expects the most out of his players. Given his unique relationship with the catchers, pitchers, and leaders of the team from his time as a player, there’s no doubt Ross has the ability to pick up where mentor Maddon left off. And you can be sure he’ll put his own stamp on his Cubs now that he’s manager too.

While the hiring of Ross might be seen by some as a look to the past, many of the players and members of the organization are actually looking towards future production and success. Only time will tell what that future with Ross at the helm will look like.