Just when you thought that the Cubs had their coaching staff set for 2019, the Orioles swoop and have hired bench coach Brandon Hyde as their next manager.
Hyde was one of at least four candidates to interview for the position and it was his fifth managerial interview this offseason.
Hear the #Orioles are closing in on hiring #Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde as their manager.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 12, 2018
#Cubs coach Brandon Hyde will be the #Orioles’ next manager, sources tell The Athletic. First reported as close: @JoelSherman1.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2018
First, congrats to Brandon on his first managing job and second good luck because it is real tough time over in Baltimore.
All right, so who’s going to be the next bench coach for the Cubs?
David Ross is so going to be the bench coach for the Cubs https://t.co/6AXMNYzzAl
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) December 12, 2018
He was kind of a candidate before, but Hyde eventually got the job. Yet, if you read into Jed Hoyer’s comments from Monday, it seems like the Cubs want Ross to have a bigger role with the club.
The Chicago Cubs have talked to David Ross about taking on a more defined role with the team in 2019. (Via @MLBBruceLevine)
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) December 11, 2018
I mean, just read this quote from Hoyer.
“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.”
It’s already the middle of December and it’s very easy to envision the Cubs just staying in house to get their new bench coach.
Just a thought, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if Ross ends up replacing Hyde.
