Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Other than the whole will the Cubs have the money or not to go after Bryce Harper, the other big news of the offseason has been that Joe Maddon’s days as manager kinda seem numbered.
Theo Epstein announced at the GM Meetings that the team wouldn’t have contract negotiations with Maddon this offseason, saying they would evaluate him near the end of 2019, or after the season. At that point, Maddon’s five-year contract with the Cubs officially ends and he could be going elsewhere if the front office decides to go in a different direction. He’s made it clear that he still wants to manage and who knows, if the Cubs have a great bounce back year they could easily give him a new deal.
However, it’s very possible at this point to envision a new manager on the North Side after 2019, and boy did Jed Hoyer really talk up David Ross on Monday night.
Ross played the final two years of his MLB career with the Cubs and quickly became a fan-favorite. He was also seen as a leader inside the clubhouse, as the young Cubs core won a World Series title in 2016, Ross’ last season playing.
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs brought him back as a special assistant to the front office starting in 2017, and well that was a pretty wild time for Ross. He was everywhere, Dancing With The Stars, an analyst on ESPN and all over your news feed. But he never really got the full experience of working alongside the front office. That was until 2018, when Ross became more involved and despite not being interested in the Cubs’ bench coaching position, the Cubs may be preparing him for something bigger in the future.
First, Hoyer expects Ross to take on a more defined role within the organization in 2019.
Via 670 The Score.
Putting those winning pieces together with the right additions both on the field and in the clubhouse will consume the front office’s time over the next two months before spring training begins. Epstein and Hoyer want better leadership to emanate from the bench and clubhouse. They’ve has talked with David Ross, a special assistant in the front office and a catcher on the Cubs’ championship team in 2016, about taking on a more defined role with the team in 2019.
But it was this quote by Hoyer that really signaled possibly a much bigger role for Ross.
“David Ross’s mere presence was helpful to the club,” Hoyer said. “I think the guys trust him. The timing of David Ross being on the team was perfect. Our young guys were 21 and 22 years old. He had a strong influence on them. So when he is around, they gravitate towards him. We could not hire anyone from the outside that good (with) that kind of influence. Having him around is really valuable. I think he will have a big impact.”
(Jed Hoyer)
“We could not hire anyone from the outside that good (with) that kind of influence.”
I mean, c’mon. How can you read that and not think the Cubs can see Ross being the next manager. Bringing up his personal connection to the young players. The trust they have in him and mentioning how no one from outside the organization could be as influential as Ross.
By the way, hiring Ross to take over after Maddon would line up with their recent moves too. Basically all the new coaches they’ve hired this offseason have a connection to the young players. From Anthony Iapoce, the new hitting coach, to Tommy Hottovy the new pitching coach, the Cubs are going with guys that are younger and can relate to today’s player, with communication being a priority. Plus, they all have a familiarity with the team.
So, don’t be surprised if you see David Ross pop up as a serious candidate to become the next manager of the Cubs.
