Reports: Joe Maddon to Manage Chicago Cubs
Joe Maddon is headed for Chi-Town.
The former Tampa Bay Rays skipper will be hired to manage the Chicago Cubs in 2015, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman first reported on Wednesday, while the New York Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed the news.
[fragment number=0]
[fragment number=1]
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, however, says that sources have told him “No deal [is] in place with [the] Cubs – yet,’’ and the Globe’s Nick Cafardo said just before 6 p.m. that current Cubs manager Rick Renteria “has not been told anything about his situation in Chicago.’’
Maddon opted out of his managerial contract with the Rays last week, giving up the position he had held since 2006. A doormat of the AL East since their inception in 1998, the Rays became a serious contender under Maddon, who figured out a way to maximize the team’s young players and low payroll unlike any other Rays manager who came before him.
The Rays (known as the Devil Rays before 2008) went 127-197 over Maddon’s first two seasons, but took off in 2008 and won 97 games, made the playoffs, and reached the World Series – all for the first time in franchise history.
Maddon skippered the Rays to a record of 754-705 over his nine years in St. Petersburg, was named AL Manager of the Year in 2008 and 2011, led them to the postseason four times, and – most importantly – brought respectability to a franchise that had long been a laughing stock of the American League.
Renteria went 73-89 in his first year as Cubs manager. He is still under contract with the team for two more seasons, and it is not yet clear what his role will be with the team, if any at all.
The Cubs haven’t made the postseason since 2008, when they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and haven’t won a postseason game since 2003.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com