Chicago Cubs Officially Name Bill Buckner Single-A Hitting Coach

A report earlier in December indicated that the Chicago Cubs were going to hire Bill Buckner to be the hitting coach of the Boise Hawks, which is the club's single-A affiliate. On Friday the Cubs confirmed the hiring:

Cubs name alum Bill Buckner as the @BoiseHawks hitting coach for the 2012 season.

Buckner hasn't coached in the majors in nearly 15 years, but he did have interest from other teams, as explained in the previous update on this story:

Buckner currently lives in Boise, Idaho, which partially explains the hire. The ESPN report adds that new Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine wanted to add Buckner to his Major League coaching staff, but Boston's front office resisted the idea. Buckner has coached in the majors in the past, but not in a while. His most recent MLB coaching gig was as the Chicago White Sox hitting coach all the way back in 1997.

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Chicago Cubs Hire Bill Buckner To Be Single-A Hitting Coach

The Chicago Cubs brought an old face back into the organization today, but it's not Ryne Sandberg. A source has told Jeremy Schaap of ESPN that the Cubs have hired Bill Buckner to take over as the hitting coach of the Boise Hawks, Chicago's Single-A affiliate.

Buckner currently lives in Boise, Idaho, which partially explains the hire. The ESPN report adds that new Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine wanted to add Buckner to his Major League coaching staff, but Boston's front office resisted the idea. Buckner has coached in the majors in the past, but not in a while. His most recent MLB coaching gig was as the Chicago White Sox hitting coach all the way back in 1997. 

The 62-year-old is a 22-year veteran of the majors, including seven-plus years with the Cubs in the late 1970's and early 1980's. His best years actually came in Chicago, as he posted a .300/.332/.439 line in 974 games on the North Side.

For more updates on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Also, check out MLB Daily Dish for Cubs rumors and transactions.

Chris Bosio Will Be Chicago Cubs' Pitching Coach, According To Report

According to the Appleton Post-Crescent, former major league pitcher Chris Bosio confirmed that he will be the Cubs' new pitching coach. Bosio had been working for the Milwaukee Brewers as the pitching coach for their AAA affiliate in Nashville.

"I just can’t tell you how excited I am, number one, to be working with Dale,’’ said Bosio. "When he offered me the job as pitching coach of the Chicago Cubs, to hear him say that, knowing the confidence he has in me, that’s a great feeling. We’re going to be prepared, are going to have intensity and a lot of enthusiasm.’’

Bosio and new Cubs manager Dale Sveum have a long history that dates back to 1979, when the two were playing high school football against each other in California. They were teammates with the Brewers from 1986 to 1991 and coached together with Milwaukee in 2009.

Bosio won 94 games, including a no-hitter, and compiled a 3.96 ERA over 11 major-league seasons.

An official announcement from the Cubs is expected next week, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.

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Jamie Quirk Is The Chicago Cubs' New Bench Coach

Houston Astros bullpen coach Jamie Quirk told MLB.com that he has accepted an offer to become the Cubs' new bench coach:

"It's just a great opportunity," Quirk said. "When Dale Sveum was interviewing, he asked me if I'd be interested if he gets any of the jobs, and he got the Cubs. I talked with [Cubs president of baseball operations] Theo [Epstein] and passed that test, and called [former Astros general manager] Ed [Wade] for permission and all that. I was excited.

(Via.)

Quirk also told MLB.com that he is looking forward to getting back in the dugout and being in a position to potentially have a greater impact on what happens during games. Quirk spent two years with Houston as the bullpen coach; he also served as bench coach for the Colorado Rockies from 2003-2008.

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Cubs Trade Rumors 2011: Dale Sveum To Keep Rudy Jaramillo As Hitting Coach

The new Chicago Cubs manager has begun sifting through his staff decisions, announcing today that they Cubs will retain the services of widely-respected hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.

Jaramillo served as the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers from 1995 through 2009 when the Cubs signed him away, making him one of the highest paid coaches in the MLB.

In 2011, the Cubs score 654 runs, good for 8th best in the NL, while only walking in 6.9% of their plate appearances -- second-worst in the NL and MLB. The Cubs young shortstop Starlin Castro led the NL in hits last year despite sporting an only above-average .307/.341/.432 split.

Sveum, however, did not renew the contracts of first-base coach Bob Dernier and third-base coach Ivan DeJesus.

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Dale Sveum Press Conference: New Chicago Cubs Manager Emphasizes 'Playing The Game A Certain Way'

On Friday morning, Chicago Cubs GM Jed Hoyer and President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein formally introduced Dale Sveum as the new team manager during a press conference at Wrigley Field. Sveum becomes the 52nd manager in team history, as he accepted a three-year offer to manage the team, with an additional option for 2015, on Thursday.    

As Cubs fans and media members get acquainted with their new manager, a man that carries the nickname 'Nuts' and has a tattoo on his arm that says 'Give 'em hell,' Sveum had these things to say:

I think the thing that has to be addressed right away is playing the game a certain way on a daily basis...that's what this organization has to change on a daily basis...playing the game like it's the seventh game of the World Series every day.

His stance on player development is something that all players on the roster should also take notice of: "the day you think you are all done learning is a bad day...you never stop developing, I dont care if the guy is 35- years old." He added:

My job is making each and every one of those guys accountable for things they have control over...That's my biggest job.

When asked about the Moneyball and sabermetrics approach, Sveum said "it's part of the game," and  that numbers "can help you win the game" by presenting options to help make baseball decisions.  

He also added that coaching staff decisions will be a "long process" that will start later on Friday and will carry into next week as he speaks with current coaches and moves through his list of candidates. 

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for updated coverage of the press conference, and for a look at the managerial search be sure to check out the full Cubs Manager Search Storystream. For in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Dale Sveum Set To Be Introduced As Chicago Cubs Manager Friday Morning

The Chicago Cubs have called a press conference at Wrigley Field on Friday at 9 a.m. CST to introduce their 52nd manager in team history, Dale Sveum. On Thursday, Sveum accepted the Cubs' three-year offer to manage the team, with an additional option for 2015.

Sveum, who will turn 48 in less than a week, got a small taste of managing an MLB team when he took over as the interim manager for Milwaukee Brewers in September of 2008. Under his management, the Brewers rallied to go 7-5 and clinch an NL Wild Card berth, an experience that Sveum spoke about back on November 7th during the interview process:

"Once I got to manage that year, those 12 games and the four games in the playoffs, it was somewhere where I felt right at home and very comfortable doing."

The news conference will be streamed live on MLB.com at 9 a.m. CST.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for updated coverage of the press conference, and for a look at the managerial search be sure to check out the full Cubs Manager Search Storystream. For in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Report: Chicago Cubs Sign Dale Sveum To 3-Year Contract, Option For 4th Year

Earlier today, the Chicago Cubs signed former Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum (pronounced swaym) to be the Cubs manager, starting in the 2012 season. According to multiple sources, Sveum signed a three-year contract with a possibility for a fourth year:

@PWSullivan: Sveum gets three year deal and option for 2015.

Sveum, who played 12 seasons in the MLB, has never been a full-time manager in the majors, though he has briefly served as the interim manager for the Brewers. As Jeff Sullivan of Baseball Nation notes, Chicago Cubs fans do not have much in the way of expectations for Sveum:

How will Sveum do as the Cubs' next manager? No idea. Absolutely no idea. Even after he's been managing there for a while, we'll have no good idea how he's doing. Managers. So tricky.

The Cubs will officially introduce Sveum as the manager on Friday.

For more updates on the Chicago Cubs and all Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more updates on the MLB Winter Meetings, check out Baseball Nation featuring Rob Neyer.

Report: Dale Sveum To Manager Chicago Cubs In 2012

According to a report from SI's Jon Heyman, the Chicago Cubs have their next manager:

@SI_JonHeyman: Sveum will be cubs manager, though it still isn't finalized yet.

Dale Sveum (pronounced swaym) was one of five candidates for the open Chicago Cubs manger position. Word came out last night that the Cubs had offered Sveum the Cubs manger position, but Sveum was still in the final process of a second interview with the Boston Red Sox.

The Cubs had considered a combined five candidates, including Sveum, Mike Maddux, Sandy Alomar Jr., Pete Mackanin, DeMarlo Hale, and Terry Francona -- who did not require an actual interview, given his history with Theo Epstein and the Cubs management.

Sveum served as a hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers since 2006 and is a purportedly an analytically-progressive thinker, like much of the new Cubs front office.

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Cubs Reportedly Offer Managerial Job To Dale Sveum

The Chicago Cubs reportedly offered their managerial job to Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Terry Francona Pulls Out Of Running

The Chicago Cubs continue their search for a new manager this week and have already determined a field of candidates, but that field just got a tad smaller as former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona told a Chicago radio show earlier on Wednesday that he's pulled himself out of the running for the job.

Speaking on the "Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000, Francona said that he wanted to take a step back from the game after interviewing for new manager gigs in both Chicago and St. Louis. The Cardinals went in another direction this week by hiring Mike Matheny, while it's unclear exactly how the Cubs viewed Francona in relation to the other candidates. He mentioned that his interest in the Cardinals gig was very real, but that he's trying to take a step back now after failing to receive an offer for that job.

To do the job correctly you have to be ready to do it all day every day. I was genuinely excited about the St. Louis job, and when it didn't happen, it allowed me to step back and rethink and, 'Ok, what do I need to do now?' It's not anything like ... the Cubs job is one of the premiere jobs out there. With Theo and [GM Jed Hoyer] there, they're going to win. May not be tomorrow, but they're going to win.

Obviously it's hard to speculate on why Francona is choosing to take some time off, but presumably he's being honest when it says that it's mostly just about him trying to relax and get some perspective. Part of me does wonder if he saw the Cubs' roster, envisioned a long rebuilding period, and decided that he'd rather manage somewhere where he can win now.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: There Will Be No New Candidates

The field for the Cubs manager job has been set, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat:

No more candidates for #Cubs job. Its down to Mackanin, Maddux, Sveum, Alomar, Hale and Francona

Cubs officials had indicated previously that they weren't likely to expand their search beyond Mackanin, Maddux, Sveum and Alomar.

Muskat added that the Cubs are expected to interview Dale Sveum for a second time on Wednesday. An earlier report from the Sun-Times indicated that meeting would happen on Tuesday. The Red Sox are also very interested in Sveum, who will meet with Boston officials again on Wednesday. Both Boston and Chicago have interviewed several of the same candidates, and now both may have Sveum at the top of their lists.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Dale Sveum Interviewing With Cubs For 2nd Time

The Chicago Cubs must have liked what they heard from Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum, because they've asked the managerial candidate for a second interview according to a report in the Sun-Times. Sveum was scheduled to meet with Cubs team officials on Tuesday, according to the report, and is also set to meet with Red Sox officials for the second time on Wednesday.

Sources say Boston appears closer to being ready to make an offer to Sveum than the Cubs.

Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux is also considered a Cubs front-runner.

It sounds like there is a pretty good chance that Sveum is managing in either Chicago or Boston next season. In addition to Sveum and Maddux, the Cubs have also interviewed Pete Mackanin, Sandy Alomar Jr. and DeMarlo Hale.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Cubs Finished With 1st Round Of Interviews

The Chicago Cubs interviewed Sandy Alomar Jr. on Friday; Alomar is the fourth managerial candidate to go through an interview with the Cubs. Dale Sveum, Mike Maddux and Pete Mackanin have also interviewed for the job. New general manager Jed Hoyer told MLB.com's Carrie Muskat that the club will probably pick from those four guys, though they haven't completely ruled out bringing more candidates in:

Asked if that was the field, Hoyer said, "Probably, yes. We may make some phone calls. I wouldn’t guarantee that it is but we feel really good about the four guys we brought in. We had four very good interviews. I wouldn’t  rule out an additional candidate but it’s not a certainty."

When asked about a timetable, Hoyer said that he and Theo Epstein would continue to talk about the matter at the GM meetings in Milwaukee next week.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Terry Francona 'Badly Wants To Manage Cubs,' According To Report

Many have speculated that Chicago Cubs front office men Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have kept former Red Sox manager Terry Francona in the running for the Cubs' managerial spot, but in Friday's column for the Chicago Tribune, reporter Dave van Dyck added some extra fuel to that fire:

For his part, Francona says he is 'trying to stay under the radar' with his unspoken candidacy, but a source very close to him says 'deep down' he badly wants to manage the Cubs - for whom he played in 1986 while falling in love with Wrigley Field - and has told Epstein so.    

Francona interviewed formally for the managerial position with the Cardinals on Thursday, but Epstein has no such interview would even be needed with the Cubs, considering the two men worked together so closely with the Red Sox.

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Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Cubs Interview Mike Maddux, Sandy Alomar Coming On Friday

The Chicago Cubs continue their search for a new manager this week, and they appear to be making some progress. On Wednesday, Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux spoke with Cubs president Theo Epstein, GM Jed Hoyer and others at Wrigley Field to discuss the job. He's the third candidate to come through, following Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.

Maddux, 50, is the older brother of famed pitcher Greg Maddux, and one of the few managerial candidates that's not being interviewed by both the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox. Currently living in the Dallas area, Maddux mentioned to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat that his family is the reason for turning down an interview with the Red Sox.

My wife and two daughters are together in the same state for the first time in three years and words cannot describe my happiness. The game of baseball has many sacrifices, but being apart from family is the toughest. I feel there is too much distance between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Boston to see my family as much as I'd enjoy.

Apparently the distance between Dallas and Chicago is acceptable, though. It's a tad surprising to see a relatively inexperienced coach like Maddux turning down top-notch managerial opportunities, but geography is often one of the main things that stands in the way of such deals.

As for other candidates, Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. is scheduled to speak with the Cubs on Friday according to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago. He's interviewing with the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Sandy Alomar Jr. To Interview With Cubs This Week

The Cubs and Red Sox are after the same guy again; this time it's Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. Alomar:

Sources told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine Tuesday that Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. will interview with the Cubs later this week. He is scheduled to be interviewed by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

The Cubs are also set to meet with Mike Maddux on Wednesday. Alomar would be the third prospective manager that both the Cubs and Red Sox have interviewed; both clubs already have interviewed Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.

Alomar is familiar with Chicago, just not the north side of it. He spent 3+ seasons playing for the White Sox during his career.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Mike Maddux Will Interview Wednesday With Cubs

Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux withdrew his name from consideration for the Boston Red Sox managerial opening, citing concerns over travel and time away from his family; he canceled the interview with Boston that had been set for Tuesday. If the distance between Chicago and Texas brings about similar concerns, Maddux has yet to say so, and in fact intends to interview with the Cubs on Wednesday.

This is what Maddux said about declining a shot at the Boston gig:

"My wife and two daughters are together in the same state for the first time in three years and words cannot my describe my happiness," Maddux said in the statement. "The game of baseball has many sacrifices but being apart from family is the toughest. I feel there is too much distance between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Boston to see my family as much as I'd enjoy."

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Mike Maddux Withdraws From Red Sox; May Stay In Texas

Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman and ESPN Boston are reporting that Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux has been withdrawn from consideration for the Boston Red Sox managerial position. Pete Gammons confirms the withdrawal, providing quotes suggesting that Maddux has removed himself from consideration entirely, opting to stay in Texas:

"We're in a good situation," Maddux says of his Ranger job. "My family moved here, the kids will be in school for 3 more years here."

This potentially scratches off the biggest candidate on the Cubs' list of managerial candidates and one of the two leading candidates for that opening. The Cubs still have plans to interview several more individuals, including Dale Sveum, Sandy Alomar Jr., and possibly DeMarlo Hale and Dave Martinez.

The Cubs may still interview Maddux as the team has not made an announcement yet -- and Maddux himself appears undecided about Chicago.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Looking Ahead At The Week's Interview Schedule

On Thursday and Friday, the Chicago Cubs brought in their first managerial candidate, Pete Mackanin (pronounced "ma KAN in"), the Philadelphia Phillies bench manager.

The Cubs, eschewing the typical interview process, will be putting all their managerial candidates through a CIA-like interview process which requires candidates to watch video of a Boston Red Sox game and answer questions as though they were managing the game. The grueling interview process is then followed by a small press conference, meant to give Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs execs a feel for the candidate's ability to handle the press.

The interview schedule, according to CSN Chicago, will follow this general schedule:

Thursday, Friday: Pete Mackanin
The first of the Cubs interviews, Mackanin finished last Friday, describing the process as "comprehensive." For more on the Mackanin interview, check out his post-interview press conference.

Monday, Tuesday: Dale Sveum
The Brewers hitting coach appears to be the top target for the Boston Red Sox, who interviewed him only days ago. Judging by the Mackanin interview, this interview may last until Tuesday.

Wednesday through Friday (expected): Mike Maddux, Sandy Alomar Jr.
The biggest name of the interview process and another co-candidate for the Red Sox job, famous Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux -- brother of Greg Maddux -- is expected to interview later in the week. He was originally slated to be interviewed earlier, but a case of laryngitis set him back.

Sandy Alomar Jr., who was widely expected to be a part of the interview process, will indeed recieve and interview sometime this week. Presumably, the Cubs will see Maddux first, then Alomar.

Following Week: DeMarlo Hale, Dave Martinez
CSN reports the Cubs will also give an interview to DeMarlo Hale, current coach for the Red Sox and a Chicago native. Hale was a lead candidate for the Toronto Blue Jays managerial opening last year and is reported to have a good rapport with Epstein.

Dave Martinez, the present bench manager for the Tampa Bay Rays, is also expected to interview at some point, but the Cubs have not officially named him as a candidate yet.

Pete Mackanin Talks About His Interview For Manager Of The Chicago Cubs

Chicago native and Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin was first up for the Chicago Cubs managerial interview process on Friday. Part of the process involved hypothetical testing under the pressure of real baseball situations, as Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer presented various statistics and game situations to see how well Mackanin made decisions in real time. An additional aspect of the interview was a planned press conference, and during the "test" press conference Mackanin had with Chicago media, he spoke about just how intense Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer were:

"It was very comprehensive," he said. "They didn't let me up for air. They just keep pounding questions at you. It's very interesting. It's fun getting to know these guys and seeing what's on their mind."    

One thing that might endear Mackanin to the Cubs front office is his willingness to use every tool available to him to inform his decisions, including advanced metrics. In an effort to explain his philosophy with regard to sabermetrics, Mackanin offered the following thoughts:

‘‘Any tool you can use to succeed, you better use it,'' he said. ‘‘Video. Statistics. Let's face it - statistics mean something. It's not just a number. If a guy's a .300 hitter, if he's a .250 hitter, that's what he is. That gives you an overall general look at what kind of hitter he is, and then you can delve deeper into leveraged indexes and ways of looking how he's been used and his replacement value and things like that.    

The next interview is set for Monday with Milwaukee Brewers bench coach Dale Svuem. 

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on theChicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league

Report: Dale Sveum To Interview With Chicago Cubs On Monday

The Cubs spoke with Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin on Friday, and according to this report from CSN Chicago, they'll interview Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum on Monday.

This comes shortly after the news that Sveum is the front-runner for the Red Sox' gig. Though, it doesn't come as a surprise to anybody. Sveum's name has been named one of the Cubs' top candidates ever since Mike Quade was canned.

There's Boston again. The Cubs and Red Sox are of course intertwined through Theo Epstein, and it seems as though they're following each other down the same list of managerial targets. A report on Thursday indicated that both clubs want to talk to Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, and now there is the matter of Sveum. As CSN Chicago points out, Sveum spent two years in Boston as the third base coach and as a result has ties to both Theo Epstein and new Red Sox GM Ben Cherington. Look for a bidding war to ensue at some point, with Dale Sveum signing a record 10-year, $400 million contract with one of these teams. (The spite-related incentives really kick up the value.)

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Cubs Managerial Candidate Pete Mackanin Set For Friday Interview And News Conference

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations is nothing if not thorough. The Friday interview Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer have set up for Chicago native and Philadelphia Phillies bench Pete Mackanin will not just be a simple and traditional "tell me about your baseball philosophy" discussion. This is more about finding a great game manager that fits the new organizational style than it is about finding someone who can charm and impress in an interview setting.

The interview will be a hands-on experiment where Epstein and Hoyer truly test the decision-making skills and tenancies of the managerial candidates under the pressure of game situations. MLB.com explains some of the details of the process:

Epstein, Hoyer & Co. will present the candidates with statistics, a lineup card and a history of bullpen usage, then watch key innings of a game and stop, trying to create a situation for the manager to deal with. It could be runners on first and third with one out and a pivotal point in a game. What does he do?    

As Epstein notes, the interview is designed to go beyond what a candidate says he would to in a philosophical setting, and actually test "what pieces of information he would use and what his thought process would be in trying to make a decision."

After that part of the interview is complete, candidates are thrown in front of the Chicago media for a press conference as well. Might as well find out if he can handle  the press if you are getting a free look, right?

Mackanin is set for an interview and press conference on Friday.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

The Chicago Cubs Next Manager Will Not Be Terry Francona Or Joe Maddon

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting the Chicago Cubs have preemptively eliminated managerial candidates Terry Francona and Joe Maddon. The Cubs executive staff -- Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLoed -- previously worked with Francona during his eight years serving as the Boston Red Sox manger.

During his time with the Red Sox, Francona led Boston to two separate World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, but left the team this last month when Epstein (then the Red Sox GM) did not exercise his contract option.

Terry Francona leaves behind him a legacy of winning in Boston, but also the scandal that followed the historic collapse of the 2011 Boston Red Sox, who failed to reach the playoffs after their 9.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay disappear in a single month. The collapse occurred amidst allegations and reports of players drinking beer and eating chicken in the locker room and dugout during games.

Joe Maddon, the present manager of the Tampa Bay Rays and an analytically progressive manager, is apparently not among the Cubs' candidates. However, his bench coach, Dave Martinez, appears to be on the list, but Maddon himself has been eliminated as a candidate. Maddon, who helped orchestrate the opposite end of the Red Sox collapse in 2011, has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa -- recently retired -- but the Cards have also shown little interest.

The Times reports the top two candidates appear to be Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dave Sveum -- which should make the hiring process interesting as the Red Sox have also focused on those same candidates.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information and updates concerning the Cubs' search for a new manager, and drop by Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Cubs And Red Sox Have Both Asked Permission To Interview Mike Maddux, According To Report

It seems that the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox have a budding organizational rivaly. Or perhaps great minds just think alike. After news that Theo Epstein and the Cubs are interviewing Pete Mackanin only three days after his Monday interview with the Red Sox, SI's Jon Heyman is now reporting that both the Cubs and the Red Sox have asked permission to interview Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux for their respective managerial vacancies.

Mike Maddux is the brother of former Cubs pitcher and current Cubs adviser, Greg Maddux, and is regarded as one of the top pitching coaches in all of baseball. Epstein did say all managerial candidates would need to have previous managerial experience or coaching experience at the major league level, so the inclusion of Maddux would meet the stated requirements for filling the position.

The overlaps in named candidates for the managerial vacancies in Boston and Chicago should not come as a big surprise, considering Theo Epstein was recently a part of Boston's search before officially joining the Cubs last week. The race for identifying and signing the top candidate for each organization should be fun to watch. 

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Cubs Are Interviewing Pete Mackanin For Managerial Position, According To Report

ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting, via Twitter, that the Chicago Cubs are preparing to interview Pete Mackanin for their managerial vacancy. Mackanin already interviewed with the Red Sox on Monday, so expect the process to move quickly as Theo works from his short list.

Mackanin is a Chicago native who attended Brother Rice Catholic for high school and apparently grew up as a (gulp) White Sox fan. He has limited managerial experience, serving as an interim manager at the MLB level for the Pittsburg Pirates in 2005, and the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. His overall record as a manager is 53-53. Mackanin has most recently served as bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, and does have over 42 years of baseball experience as a player and coach.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has suggested that Theo Epstein's short list for manager includesRangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum, and Pete Mackanin.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

Five Possibilities To Be Next Cubs Manager

Mike Quade is out as Cubs manager. No surprise at all there. Ryne Sandberg has already been told he is not going to be a candidate for the opening, because Theo wants to start a new “culture” on the North Side and wants someone with Major League coaching experience. Here are five names that could be your next Cubs manager.

Dale Sveum Sveum is the current hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. He also was a third base coach in Boston for a few seasons. During his stint in Boston, Sveum impressed upper management, including Theo Epstein, with his attention to detail, the way he gets along with players, and his use of statistics in preparing for games. Sveum has also been a manager for a brief time with the Brewers, a hitting coach, third base coach, and bench coach.

Mike Maddux Maddux has been one of the best pitching coaches in all of baseball for several seasons. Maddux is currently the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers and has been regarded as one of the keys to their back-to-back World Series appearances. The former major leaguer is also known for his strong work ethic and preparation and is the brother of Cubs adviser and former star Greg Maddux.

Dave Martinez Martinez has been the right hand man for Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon the past few seasons. Martinez is ready for the next step and the Cubs could be a great fit. Many experts thought he would end up as the manager on the South Side before the White Sox ended up naming Robin Ventura their choice.

Pete Mackanin Mackanin has been the bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has 42 years of baseball experience as a player, coach and scout. His age might be the one thing not in his favor, but his experience can’t be questioned.

Bob Brenly Yes this is a long shot, but the Cubs play by play man does have experience and a World Series ring. He has seen what doesn’t work for the Cubs the past several years and might be able to fix the problem. As I stated the chances of this are extremely slim, but if he were to get the chance expect Kerry Wood to take the vacated announcer position.

Theo Epstein: Chicago Cubs' New Manager Must Have MLB Experience

The Chicago Cubs announced via press release on Wednesday that manager Mike Quade will not return for the 2012 season, effectively beginning the team's search for their next skipper. President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein had some very positive things to say about Quade in the press release, but more importantly Epstein did quickly discuss that the team's search for a new manager begins now.

And more specifically, he outlined some things that he expects from his newest manager.

We are looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success.  The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level.

Notice that key line at the end of the quote. Must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level. That's going to knock a few key candidates off our list, but more importantly, it means we can knock one very important name off: Ryne Sandberg.

Sandberg, currently the manager for Philadelphia's Triple-A team, has never managed or coached in the majors before. He has a good deal of experience managing in the minors and obviously is one of the Cubs' all-time great players, but it appears that won't be enough to qualify him for the job in Epstein's eyes.

For more on the Cubs, check out Bleed Cubbie Blue, SB Nation's Chicago Cubs blog.

Mike Quade Will Not Return As Chicago Cubs Manager In 2012

The Chicago Cubs announced on Wednesday that manager Mike Quade will not return for the 2012 season.