Oct 24: The Cubs have officially announced Ross’ signing as the club’s new manager. The Chicago hero will receive a three-year contract through the 2022 season with a club option for 2023 (link).
Oct 23: Chicago settled on Ross yesterday afternoon, Kaplan adds (Twitter link). All other candidates have been informed of the decision, he adds, so it seems an announcement is just a formality at this point.
8:41 am: Ross is indeed likely to be hired as the Cubs’ manager this week, reports David Kaplan of NBC Sports (via Twitter). Kaplan adds that Ross’ agent has been negotiating a deal that is “almost done” with President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein.
12:21 am: Joe Espada and David Ross are reportedly the favorites in the Cubs’ search for their next manager, though it appears the latter has pulled ahead in the race. Ross could be announced as the Cubs’ new skipper as early as Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com suggested to “Waddle and Silvy” (Twitter link via Adam Abdalla of ESPN Chicago).
Ross is a revered figure for the Cubs, with whom the former major league catcher played the final two seasons of his career from 2015-16. In the last of those years, Ross helped the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908 with a strong regular-season performance and a postseason effort highlighted by a home run against the Indians in Game 7 of the World Series.
Ross has served as a special assistant to baseball operations for the Cubs and an ESPN analyst since his playing days wrapped up, but he comes with no coaching experience. He’s something of a polar opposite in that regard to previous Cubs skipper Joe Maddon, a longtime coach whom the club hired after a long run as the Rays’ manager. Despite his lack of seasoning as a coach, though, Ross told Rob Bradford of WEEI that he believes he’s capable of melding the best qualities of the top managers he encountered during his career. Ross played under World Series-winning managers in Maddon, Terry Francona, John Farrell and Bobby Cox.
Maddon’s “old school to the core; he just uses the analytics in his favor for certain wacky situations where he may take the pitcher and put him in left field,” according to Ross. While Ross noted that Maddon’s methods with the Cubs came off as unconventional, “90 percent of the time, it worked out.”
Ross, if he becomes a manager, will attempt to mix the methods of Maddon and Cox – specifically the “freedom” they’ve given players – with Francona’s communication skills and Farrell’s ability to delegate. And as someone who played in the majors for a decade and a half, Ross thinks he learned what not to do from less successful managers. In his discussion with Bradford, Ross opined he’s well aware “what a bad manager looks like.”
Maddon was anything but “bad” during his time with the Cubs, of course, but the club nonetheless moved on after a disappointing 2019 season. It now appears they’ll hand the reins to the popular Ross in an effort to return to prominence next year.
seems like he was always their guy. i was hoping for espada myself.
I think Ross would be a good manager. If anyone deserves a shot it’s him.
Mike Metheny and Brad Asmus were 2 recent former catchers – respected by players and FO people and admired by the fans – that couldn’t miss as ML managers.
They were groomed to be managers by doing administrative-type work for front offices. They had no coaching experience – let alone any managerial experience at the minor league level. Nevertheless, the Cardinals and Tigers hired them to manage what seemed to be competitive rosters. They fizzled, and their teams did as well.
Managing people is not the same as working with them. It’s a different skillset, one developed by hands-on experience. Learning to make good decisions at that level takes time, and bad decisions are to be expected.
Rookie managers Aaron Boone and Davey Martinez were given loaded, top 5 payroll ML rosters in 2018. They were absolute disasters as managers – particularly in handling pitchers. To both their credits, they worked hard in the 2018-19 off-season, learning where they had gone wrong and made adjustments in 2019.
If the Cubs intend to step back in 2020 and reload/restructure the roster – something that it appears needs to be done – then perhaps Ross might work out in time. But if they intend to go all out in roster moves and payroll to be a serious WS contender in 2020 while taking on a rookie manager with no managing or even coaching experience, then odds are that they’ll be the 2018 Yankees / Nationals.
Well said Vandals
While the bulk of your statement is solid it’s worth pointing out the Yankees won 100 games in Boone’s rookie season in 2018. Calling that a disaster is odd, at best.
+aj
the team couldve won 105 if you put a mannequin in his place
Well said if you have stud players you win if you don’t you won’t .
Mikel, tell that to the Giants who won three World Series without having a stud lineup.
I thought Dave Martinez managed elsewhere before the Nats?
Well they did have stud pitching, to be fair
But more importantly, the Giants had exclusive access to PitchFx all through its development, something that no other clubs had. That is the real reason why they won
The Yankees won 100 games in 18 and honestly the Nats were dysfunctional last year. Remove Harper and they were better. I have no idea how Ross will do and none of us do. The Cubs are dysfunctional and have been for a few years now. I suspect we will see some big names game from the team this winter who those players are remains to be seen.
He was the Cubs bench coach prior to Nats manager.
Martinez had a decade as a bench coach for Maddon.
@ajbloomberg;
I called Boone’s managing in 2018 a disaster – not the Yankees.
I watched a lot of Yankees games in 2018. He had the horses to win the ALE and do what the Red Sox did – run the table to a 2018 WS championship.
He was outmanaged so badly by both Alex Cora and Kevin Cash (as well as others), that it was frustrating to watch when I was rooting for the Yankees. After the season Boone admitted that he’s made a lot of mistakes with his pitchers moves in 2018, and vowed to do better in 2019. He did.
This move proves to me the Cubs are going full force analytics. Ross will be the voice and face for whatever the computer pumps out.
They had one of the best managers in the game and didn’t renew his contract and go to a guy that has no manager experience I want to see how this is going to turn out. As a Cardinal fan I watched Mathany ruin young arms by bad coaching and over use. Theo will be the manager on this team I believe.
3 World Series in 6 years is not going to be done again . Posey pence belt Crawford . Mad bum Cain Lincicum Hudson vogelsong , Barry zito.
Totally agree
You can’t compare Boone to Cash n Cora. Boone came from the broadcast booth well Cash and Cora sat under the learning trees of Tito Francona and Aj Hinch
Yogi Berra and Joe Girardi did well in similar circumstances and so will Ross. If this does happen, congratulations to Ross AND Epstein. Good move.
Not sure about the “deserved” part of your comment. Why? because he’s such a well liked great guy? No experience….not even as a minor league coach. Not a bad hire….seems like a Cash type.
Todd just curious. Why does David Ross deserve a shot to manage the Cubs now. He has done nothing to deserve it.
Espada on the other hand looks ready for the challenge and step up to manager.
I’d argue Ross is the only one that didn’t “deserve” a shot.
Good for him though.
And why does he deserve a shot !!
I agree, I preferred Espada as well.
I honestly do think that Ross is going to end up being a good manager, I just don’t know if he’s going to be able to hit the ground running or if he’s going to take time to grow into the role. The Cubs’ window is not likely to be open that much longer, so they’re really not in a position to endure growing pains in the job.
If they do go with Ross, I hope they bring somebody with more experience in as a bench coach. Nothing against Loretta who I know very little about from a coaching perspective, but it would be nice to have experience backing up inexperience.
If the cubs can retain either Bryant or Baez, along with Rizzo and Schwarber, they’re still going to be able to compete.
They better bring in the best hitting and pitching coaches money can buy.
Ross? I was hoping for Chandler. Maybe even Phoebe as the first female manager.
Huge mistake – unless many roster changes
Agreed. Ross played with a lot of the guys on the roster. Going to be hard to go from teammate to manager.
Agreed. This move is gonna flop, Espada would have made a better manager, but I’ll bet he would have stirred things up too much for upper management to hire him, and that’s just what the Cubs need.
Did Espada tell you this? Is he a trouble maker with Houston that’s constantly challenging authority and revolting against the. FO?
I guess maybe disrespectful and poor worth ethic is what brings championships in MLB.
I am happy with either one, I just hope They are hiring Ross for the right reasons. This team needs to move forward and not try to rekindle the magic of 2016.
It’s always a risk for somebody like Ross as well, so if this is what his goal is, more power to him, but it’s easy to go from a “beloved” figure to somebody they can’t wait to run out of town if he doesn’t perform to expectations or his managerial tendencies (i.e. using his bullpen) aren’t up to par. That perfect image can be tarnished so fast. Great opportunity though and he sounds ready for the challenge.
Since he was working for ESPN I doubt he watched every Cubs game this season, so he’s obviously not qualified to be the manager.
You’re right. I’ll go tweet @Cubs and you post on a couple message boards, and we’ll get the word out together. Meet back here tomorrow at 4.
So true….he would make a great hire for the Yankees as that’s all ESPN shows anyway.
Adam your are right. He has no qualifications to be the manager of the Cubs right now
Yeah, ESPN never shows Cubs/Cards games. Eye roll here.
Only Mark Loretta & Will Venable more than likely watched every Cubs game this past season – so does that disqualify all the others? I was personally hoping for Espada, but either way, I think the Cubs will be okay.
Wilford Brimley……..
Your comment…….. “it’s easy to go from a “beloved” figure to somebody they can’t wait to run out of town if he doesn’t perform” is so reminiscent of Ryne Sandberg in Philly. Near the end of 2012 people were calling for Charlie Manuel to go and for Ryne to be the savior. That lasted all of about 4 months into the 2013 season and people were calling for Sandberg’s head on a platter. It’s an all too common story.
Sentimentality over past accomplishments favor Ross…..actual experience and a fresh way to manage would favor Espada…..time too think with your head Chicago rather than with your hearts.
Rocky you nailed it
espada i think would be better.
Do you watch every Cubs game though? Your opinion only matters if you’re one of the fans that watches every game.
Completely stupid comment.
More stupid comment.
Ya, this might win the award of the dumbest comment of the week. seriously?
Nope I disagree…only dumb I’m ur opinion. Its ok for people that devoted for 1 team to comment here.
You mean you haven’t seen the comments that completely disregard statistics like fielding metrics just because they “see every game” and completely disregard any opposing stat? I read it on the internet, so it’s true.
STATS: Nick Castellanos sucks on defense.
FAN: Trust me, I watch every game so I know what I’m talking about, and he’s solid average.
Which makes him 3 times better than Schwarber and a real,actual Major League Hitter who’s trying to win games and not just a guy trying to make the highlight home run reel on ESPN. You say you watch the games, but do you really SEE what’s going on?
Wilford I agree that watching all the games may make someone well informed but I know many who watch all the games and are clueless as well. People have different opinions.
I agree on Castellanos. I was thinking the same thing. But that is different than someone commenting on who the manager should be.
diabetes
no “diabetus”. get it right.
You seem to be getting a lot of negative comments about your “Your opinion only matters if you’re one of the fans that watches every game” comment, but I thought it was a pretty funny sarcastic joke.
Thank you, ol’ bean. Your sarcasm detector seems to be working.
It’s all just a popularity contest at this point. Ross wins that hands down, but is that a good thing? Epstein/Hoyer have some tough decisions to make this offseason. If the roster doesn’t change significantly, it won’t matter who manages. The cubs will continue to miss the playoffs, which means Epstein, Hoyer and the next manager will be summarily fired.
Will still be better than the Low-Sox.
You sound like you need a hug, buddy.
You sound like you need a life, buddy.
Got one thanks, and it includes rooting for a legit organization.
One WS appearance in 100+ years ain’t legit. Sorry.
0 for 1, would you like a lifeline?
And you’re 1000 Cub hater rants aren’t legit either. Not sorry.
I get tired of that worn out line . My entire life I heard 0 in 68 on up to 108. Finally win 1 and now it’s only 1 in 108. How many had everyone else won since 2016. 1 is just fine by me. All others are a bonus . You do know white Sox have won 1 since 1917? So 1 in 102 for you
Actually Cubs going down wards and the Sox are moving forward. And you don’t agree
I actually agree that if the roster construction is not improved it will not matter. The current Fiasco is on Theo who made Maddon a scapegoat.
I expect the Cubs front office to make some positive changes on the roster. Then again I thought the same thing last year. So far Theo talks a big game about fixing the offense for example. He did land Castellanos though which is the kind of hitter the Cubs need.
While the Cubs have to make some changes, it‘s not the disaster you think it is.
Love the move if it’s Rossy. Need to figure out the bullpen situation. Catchers have always made for great managers because they know their pitchers and will make the right moves
There are just as many Mike Matheny and Brad Ausmus types as there are Joe Girardi and Mike Scioscia. Being a catcher isn’t always the answer.
Which set of managers are you saying was bad?
I too agree catching is a nice background for a manager. However the issue here is why Ross now? He has no managing or coaching experience. He may very well make a great manager one day. Maybe soon. But for 2020 we will have a team allegedly built to win now and a manager with zero experience as manager or even coaching players who is not the boss of players he is buddy buddy with. How will he hold players accountable
If I was the Cubs the biggest things I would be worried about with hiring Ross is his connection to the players. Granted it is baseball and not a normal job but I have seen it happen at multiple jobs I had where they promoted internally and put the person in charge of people that used to be their peers and it never went very well. He played with about a dozen of the guys he is going to be managing. Will he favor players that he played with because of their past relationships? And will the players show him the same level of respect for his decisions as manager due to his lack of coaching experience? I would hope everyone would be professional and for the most part you don’t hear much about the Cubs players having big egos but there could still be some issues.
Ask john fatrell
Espada seemed the like the guy with a better resume but
here comes one wild new no experience manager experiment.
Ross is an extremely likable human who, in my opinion, is not a good choice to manage the Cubs at this point in history.
Exactly. What happens when he has to get tough with Rizzo and tell him to get his WAR higher? They’re BFF’s, so he wouldn’t take it as seriously as somebody old school… like Wally Backman who would probably get the belt out.
I think “Grandpa Rossy” is on Instagram now too, and they want to stay “cool” with the kids in the clubhouse. I’d actually make sure a managerial candidate isn’t on social media, so Ross would be disqualified.
First step for the Cubs is to get the fans back on the front office’s side. Ross is a hero for Cubs fans and I think picking him may lessen fans’ outrage if they don’t blowout the budget.
Cubs fans are going to want someone like Cole. The bad taste of all the great young players Theo has tradedlike Torres needs to be washed away. A soft rebuild should be on the table. Maybe your biggest star player is a Boras client and everyone else is also on short control. Something drastic needs to happen this offseason, I just hope fans don’t go nuts if Theo and Ricketts don’t pull out the checkbook.
Frankroo some of us don’t have a bad taste in our mouths over the trading of young prospects. I’m extremely happy with our WS trophy. Extremely happy.
And that’s why the cubs do what they do. Low expectations.
If you think the Cubs have low expectations then you obviously do not have a lot if baseball acumen. Is that typical of the White Sox fan base or just you?
Your comment makes no sense. I’m not sure why White Sox fans spend more time ragging on the Cubs vs filling their place, but it’s funny…and pathetic.
You people are satisfied with one WS in 100+ years that happened THREE years ago. cubs fans say things like this, I didn’t make it up. It’s just sad and pathetic in so many ways. Demand more from this freaking team! That’s garbage.
no what’s pathetic is one win in 100 years and you think your the Yankees. lol no one fears the Cubs it’s the cardinals we fear
As opposed to all those trophies in the south side ghetto mantelpiece, right?
You probably shouldn’t be commenting on the Cubs when the White Sox have only one World Series title in 100 years also.
WS championships are low expectations?
The Sox have two championships.
LOL
WS trophy is in the past what about living in the day, what are they going to do in 2020.
why? he was a terrible catcher. terrible. He was just like by some guys. could not hit to save his life. no sure why people like him so much. reds fans were glad to see him Go and now glad to wacth him screw up the Cubs like David bell did to the reds
You have your own opinion, doesn’t mean you’re right.
And judging by the respect he gets around the game, I bet you’re wrong.
Managing in baseball is overrated. Most of the time, the manager has nothing to do with the teams overall success or lack thereof.
that’s ridiculous. watch how many times a manager gets charged with the exact same roster and the team takes off. that just what video game fans say
I want Girardi
That’s what I said for months. Am now impressed with Espada. I’d take him over Ross for a lot of the same reasons being posted here. Lack of coaching experience of any kind. Lack of bullpen management. Close player relationships.
I’d rather hire Espada with Ross as bench coach.
Girardi and Epstein wouldn’t get along. Just my opinion.
What’s gonna happen the first time Ross has to decide whether or not to yank John Lester out of a game? After all if it wasn’t for Lester nobody would have ever heard of David Ross. Theo was adamant about moving ahead from 2016. Hiring Ross takes them right back there.
Exactly Theo talks big but actions speak louder.
YOU wouldn’t have heard of him, other insightful people already knew about Ross.
And what will happen is that he’s gonna make his pitching change… Easy
I don’t think anybody knows that organization better than him at this point. He knows their personalities, he has familiarity with the pitching staff for the most part, he knows their stars. Plus he’s well loved in the organization. What do either party have to lose?
Ross will prob be a fine coach and definitely played under some of the best. But when you have a team as talented as the cubs, you generally want someone with a little successful experience… like even in the minor league lvl. Regardless, I still think he would make a good coach
Manager, not coach.
The cubs have a few really good players, but they’re a mediocre team overall. They’re not as talented as the ‘16 team, and it’s important that Epstein realizes this.
Personally I’ve stated before I think Espada has the job if he’s willing to take Hottovy. Ross will be the fall back. For all you people who think the Cubs are going to go out and sign a 200 million dollar P, You are living in fantasy land. Anyone who thinks Ricketts is cheap and that the Cubs can burn money well you’ll be right in a couple of years. Apparently everyone forgets that he’s probably spent a billion dollars upgrading not only the stadium but basically the whole block also. When it’s all done and the new TV deal kicks in, they’ll be printing money.
However, he made a big mistake hitching his TV wagon to Sinclair Broadcasting. In Illinois and Chicago that’s going to be a hard sell. In fact, I will never pay a dime that will end up in Sinclair’s pockets. So if it’s a choice between watching the Cubs or giving money to them, I’ll just be watching something else.
Got to agree on the Sinclair part. I know I wont be watching any non national games going forward. I’m only glad that the Tribune deal with Sinclair didn’t go through.
I sort of prefer not Ross though I think he’d be a good manager someday. Hiring him at this point is simply trying to recapture the magic.
You can just get mlb tv its 120$ a year or theres also streaming sites.
It’s still gonna be Len and JD calling the.games. nothing but the broadcast had changed.
when in doubt, take a backup catcher to be your manager
Haha. Enjoy 3rd place for the next 5 seasons. They fired Madden for this guy? Fail.
Maddon was not fired but I do not know this Madden guy
You’re a real baseball guy, aren’t you? Maddon’s contract was over, they didn’t extend him.
There is a lot of comparing to Matheny hiring and being a bad thing but somehow people are forgetting that he had a winning record with St. Louis the first six seasons, a WS appearance in his second season.
Maddon wasnt fired his contract expired and it was mutually agreed upon for both parties to move on.
I’m sure Epstein has a much better perspective than anyone else about Ross, but I hope that if Ross is hired it’s not about appeasing the veterans on that team. I could be wrong, but for a group in need of a shake up, that doesn’t seem like much of one to me.
I agree. The hire makes me smile as a fan but I’m wary of this choice. Espada seemed like a lot more of a safe choice.
Ross was a key player who stepped in and provided leadership behind the plate for the Sox after Varitek retired. I admire what he did for my team, and wish him success as a manager.
Espada would’ve been the better choice IMO.
Everything inside me screams “Mistake! Mistake!” Then again, there’s no denying the fine job that Boone did with the Yankees this season – even as an avowed Yankee hater, I’d give Boone my vote for MOY. Ross is being given some pieces, not as many as Boone was given, and expectations on the rapidly closing window will be high. Tough situation for a manager who is as rookie as you can get.
Man, Boone bungled the ALCS, he shouldn’t get any votes for MOY. Hinch and the Astros sleepwalked that entire series and won in 6. Astros hitters were statistically worse than the Yankees hitters and faced worse pitching. The Astros got a couple homers here and there and won the series. Yankees lineup was a joke and the bullpen management was terrible. Boone is getting a pass for winning the AL East in convincing fashion. But you don’t play the Jays and O’s in the postseason and thats when his bad decisions really showed up… just to give you an example of the bad decisions, look at the lineups, Torres was batting 6th in a couple games and Gardner was batting 3rd. No reasonable baseball guy would do that. It’s laughable!
MOY and all the other awards are voted on before the postseason…
Here comes one big roller coaster ride!
I’m pretty sure most people will hate him in the end!
I’ll never understand the hype behind Ross
Well, if they really want to shake things up, hiring Ross surely accomplishes that. What an odd choice.
Settle jab at Joe Maddon?
Ross going to be accurate more than 90% of the time. Hahahahaha.
What’s a settle jab?
When you wanted a punch but had to settle for a jab?
Subtle jab. Not a big deal children.
It was an honest question, Grandpa
It came across as a compliment to Maddon
Like it or not, he is now the manager – which solves one of the big mysteries of the off-season. NOW… let’s try to work on the bullpen and team. If Ross doesn’t get help with the front office with players, it won’t matter who the manager is.
Hate to say it, but you need to be able to develop pitching to have a good bullpen. The reliever FA market is good for filling holes but the Cubs have a lot more than a hole. The Cubs just can’t develop good pitching consistently.
If this is a joke it’s a bad one, Ross should be at single A for on the job training.
Semi-serious question to all of you fans, especially of the Cubs and Red Sox…
How long of a “leash” do you give a manager of your team for winning the World Series, especially the Cubs recently? I don’t know what David Ross would have to do to maintain that positive image, post-career goodwill he has with Cubs fans. Maddon managed the team that “broke the curse” just three short years ago, and he’s gone.
Does that matter as much as it would with players? Francona managed the team that broke the curse in Boston and won two World Series in four seasons, and that didn’t save him.
Joe Carter will never have to buy a meal again in Toronto, but if he became the Blue Jays manager and had a bunch of losing seasons and ended up getting fired, that goodwill might be somewhat forgotten.
That’s a great question, especially in the “what have you done for me lately?” attitude in baseball (and sports/the world in general). As prime a job as manager of the Cubs is made out to be, I think Ross is being thrown into an incredibly difficult situation. Zero managing or coaching experience at any level, replacing the man who broke the curse, plus he’s being given a team who, at the moment, seems to have way more questions than answers. I think expectations for his debut season will come down to what Theo and company surround Ross with come opening day 2020. If they spend the money and/or make the trades to shore up weaknesses, Ross might have two seasons MAX to deliver. If they go into semi or full teardown mode, he might get a bit of a longer leash.
These days, managers don’t manage for decades for the same team anymore. Long gone are the days of Cox. Francona was in Boston 8 years, that’s too long now for execs.
That takes the Cubs off the board for Girardi. Come on Phillies, pull the trigger
Joe Espada can be his bench coach .. after the Astros win the world series
Yeah like he’s going to give his nice job in Houston for the exact same roll elsewhere. Makes no sense at all.
I was joking
I like Ross but Esppafa with Rossy as his bench coach would be better.
Wow, sounds like something That Ball Was Bryzzoed or ElMago9ine would say.
No Idea who those two are. Great user names though. obvious die hard Cubs fans.
I thought they’d hire Espada and he’s likely the safer choice but after multiple interviews with each candidate, Theo obviously feels like Rossy is the right guy. Say what you want about Theo’s decisions regarding free agents, but he has a very successful record of hiring coaching/front office/off field personnel.
Cubs will be in a payroll reducing mode this upcoming season. I see tweaking of the roster.
No blockbuster additions. Gerrit Cole not coming here. Will be a blockbuster trade for primarily high level prospects. Good bye Kris Bryant.
Just my thoughts.
Bryant isnt getting trade this winter. At the earliest it will be next winter. Unless they get deGrom plus 2 prospects. He’s not worth trading.
Whahuh?
Bryant might be on the Braves next season for Riley and two pitching prospects! There is no way the Mets trade DeGrom right now when they are trying to compete next year.
People are going to say Ross is not the right person for this job and they are right had this move happened 10 years ago. Basically Epstein wanted the best fit for analytics. Honestly the best guy for this position with Joe Girardi but the back and forth headbutting over analytics is what pushed him out with the Yankees.
does not make sense to me. Girardi would have been perfect.
I think they interviewed Girardi only out of respect
Did Girardi tell them he was going to Mets or Phillies ? Did Espada say he was staying with Astros or passing on Cubs? It is odd Epstein said the manager they were hiring was going to have experience and doesn’t . Girardi is not a yes man that would have bowed down to the all mighty Theo.
No, that’s why Girardi was not brought back with the Yankees… He had issues with the Marlins FO and then Yankees.
That’s not necessarily a good resume.
I think this is a bad idea for the cubs but a good idea for the cardinals and brewers.
I stated it below.
This is Kapler to the Phils all over again. In that high pressure of a market with the expectations that surround this team, after TWO meltdowns in September, to then hire a first year manager over a guy like Girardi/Dusty/Showalter that has been there before, could end in a mega disaster
I think he has a unique perspective on who if anyone they trade from the core. If Contreras is traded expect that he has something to do with that. I would think his player evaluations would matter and that coupled with his relationships is why he was hired. It’s no secret the Cubs need to find some young pitching/prospects. They will have to deal someone. Or potentially roll the dice for one last shot with the current core. It’s an interesting offseason for the Cubs
Yes let’s go ahead and hire a player that played 3 years in the organization and became somewhat of a cult hero because of a World Series title that has zero managing experience. How fast can you say “ complete meltdown”. Theo great at building a club from nothing. Horrible at maintaining one. This meltdown will be EPIC.
Yep, and we can all watch the meltdown courtesy of the Cubbie new sports network, if you can afford it.
Most people are just gonna watch free streams or from MLB TV. No idea what the issue is with Sinclair. Politics. Probably. but theres other ways around that.
Have to agree. There was zero reason to fire Joe, aside from Saint Theo trying to save his own rear end. Owners really need to stop allowing Presidents/GM’s from firing managers. Most time, it’s just to save themselves.
Jor Maddon wasnt fired. Brad Ausmus was fired so Anaheim could hire joe maddon. Clint Hurdle was fired. Gabe Kapler was fired among about 5 or 6 others. Of the 10 or 9 managers. That wont manager their team in 2020. Maddon was the only one not fired. And well 2 managers retired
Wrek Thank you. I just do not understand why that is not obvious to others
Being well-liked in the clubhouse does nothing to assist with managing the game at field level. Good luck to Ross, but I would have hired an established manager.
I got the 12:21 notification but I think there should have been a separate notification when this was a sure thing. I’ve got Cards fans relatives who are giving me Cubs news before I get it. It’s humiliating.
In case the Cubs decide to start a rebuild midway through the 2021 season this hire does not look bad.
In case the Cubs wanted to win in 2020, the hire was Joe Girardi. Hire the proven winner for a team who’s window is closing.
Can Girardi pitch or leadoff? No? Then I don’t see how he would have won more than Maddon did. DO NOT DRINK THE KOOLAID.
You don’t see much ChiSox so I can understand. Girardi’s a guy who will boot asses and that’s exactly the personality the Cubs need. No friends. Plus I hate koolaid.
They aren’t close to a reb8old though. I dont get why people say they need to go in rebuild mode. That’s just ignorance and stupidity
How many games do you actually watch every season? If it’s more than 10, the cubs’ decline should be self-evident.
Wrek, if the Cubs are under .500 in 2020 they should damn well consider hitting the reset button. They would load up on some serious talent primed and ready for 2024. They cannot continue to decline and expect to contend if they decline again next year.
I just have a feeling that this is going to end bad for Ross. This may be Kapler all over again with the Phillies. First year manager entering with huge expectations. Thought Joe Girardi was a great fit. Looks like hes going to the Phils/Mets now.
Gimmick!
I was hoping that they’d go outside of the organization. Rossy seems like he’ll end up a players manager like a Robin Ventura…he must have embraced analytics so much that Theo feels anyone can manage.
reds fan.
lol did lester get him that job too. this guy would have been retired if not for riding others success.
As a Red Sox fan, I’m just really happy for him!!!
Odds grandpa Ross is better manager than Maddon? Not too great. That would be similar to trading a star pitcher for a pitching prospect, with hopes the prospect might turn out as good as the star you traded. As cards fan we know this playbook, hire former catcher, player and fan favorite, with no managerial experience. As cards fan I hope Ross works out as well for cubs as matheny did for us.
As a Cub fan I hope the Card’s hitting prowess carries over into next year.
Not a surprise.. Has a good relationship with the team being that he was playing with them as recently as 2016.
Ross deserves to be manager! His teammates carried him off the field after game 7 in 2016!
If that doesn’t qualify him, what would? Had Espada ever been carried off? Maddon? No.
This is sarcasm, right?
Has to be sarcasm
Love this for the Cubs. They are no longer the young team in need of a veteran skipper to change the culture into a winning one. They are a team filled with veterans. Ross will be a great fit.
What does that mean for Loretta and Venable?
David Ross will be a feel good manager, easing the players’ disappointment for Joe Maddon’s departure, but won’t have a real impact given what he is inheriting.. The Cubs are in deep trouble in the pitching department, both in starters and the bullpen. No standout starters anymore, where once Lester and Arrieta filled that need. Craig Kimbrel looked bad after they got him, and unless he returns to his previous form, they are without a pitcher that can successfully close it out in the ninth inning.
This is the way of ownership telling the fans that they are going through a small rebuild You dont hire Ross and expect a first year manager to take the team deep into the playoffs. You will see a completely different Cubs team next season, one possibly without Bryant and others
New tv network they needed a face..Ross is loved by cubs fans, and I would think they are hoping having him manager may help with retaining some of their players since he is also loved so much by the team.personally I don’t think he was the right guy.They needed vet to reign in the talent they have..probably looking at another 80ish win year,plus side the following year should clean up some of the old contracts weighing them down
This just in….the sun will come up tomorrow.
Put me down in the “this will not end well” column
Why is this even newsworthy?
This looks more like a PR decision than a baseball decision. As for Ross, if the team fails to show improvement then this love affair with the fans will quickly evaporate.
It’s obvious the Cubs might be planning a little rebuild this off-season. The Cubs’ farm system is a mess right now and have no pitchers in their system to pitch out of the bullpen.
Theo isn’t successful drafting and developing pitchers. About as bad of a track record as his spending on free agents.
Give it two years max cub fans will be calling for him to be fired. How many coaches in total has the cubs changed in the last three years? (Not just manager)
I feel bad for Ross! He is being set up to fail. I like the guy and wish him well but if he doesn’t produce and quickly he’ll get blamed.
Let me start by saying, I love David Ross.
But I feel like Theo n Jed have been grooming him to be their “YES” man. And he may do very well. And they may work wonderfully together. I just felt like after the “ collapse” and Maddon’s , we’ll get’em next time approach, that one of the guys’ friends may not of been the best choice. Ideally I would’ve liked to of seen him be on Girardi’s staff
Totally agree. They needed an Anti-Maddon to work on the fundamentals and situational hitting, not another buddy to the already out of control players. It would have been smarter to have Ross as an assistant and work his way up first.
That would have been ideal
This has disaster written all over it. It will make the fly by night emotional fans happy for sure, but from a winning standpoint it is stupid. It is the equivalent of trying to be your kid’s friend instead of a parent, it NEVER works.
Career back up catchers make great managers. They see the game differently than anyone else. Should be a good signing.
I’m building a Backup Catcher Hall of Fame and Ross is in the first class of inductees. Who else should go in?
Lol
Mistake.
Congrats to Ross but I do not agree with this hiring. In my opinion the Astros coach was my pick…
Good guy! Best of luck to him!