Maddon’s Out
Jordan Bastian, writing for MLB, says Joe Maddon is meeting with Theo Epstein.
Entering Saturday’s game, Maddon had guided the Cubs to 470 wins, the fifth-most for a manager in team history. His run of four consecutive postseason berths (2015-18) is unprecedented for a Cubs manager, the 2016 World Series win snapped a 108-year championship drought and his winning percentage (.582) is the second-highest mark among all Cubs managers with more than two years at the helm.
Even with all of those accomplishments on Maddon’s resume with the Cubs, the franchise is weighing whether a new voice is needed for the next era for the team. Maddon’s contract expires at the end of the season, so he also has the ability to elect to become a “free agent” ahead of the 2020 campaign.
“We all have a huge amount of respect for Joe and what he’s done here,” Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber said. “Whatever happens, happens. If he comes back, that’s great. If he decides to move on, we wish him the best. But he’s done a lot of dang good here, and you can’t take that away.
“For me, for him being my first big league manager, I think that’s a pretty good Major League manager to have as your first one. I have a huge amount of respect for him.”
That’s some interesting spin.
I’m sure the Angels will be looking really hard at hiring Joe Maddon in this off season.