Truth on Joe Maddon’s Future

There was a lot of speculation about the uncertainty surrounding Chicago Cubs manager, Joe Maddon’s future. From the disappointment of the Cubs short run, the team’s inability to come through in certain situations, to a general feeling that the club lacked a sense of urgency, spawned several rumors that Joe’s job was on the line.

There was certain discontent between Theo Epstein and Maddon. From a philosophy change in driving balls in the air, to an inability to consistently take quality at bats with runners in scoring position and Joe putting his foot in his mouth, especially in regards to the domestic violence allegations against the team’s shortstop.

There was also speculation that Joe might want to leave. Maddon coached under former Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia. With Mike stepping down, Joe is a natural fit. If the Angels inquired, and Joe was interested, there is thought that the Cubs would have allowed him to interview.

In Theo Epstein’s end of season press conference, he again reaffirmed that they couldn’t be happier with Joe as the club’s manager. He mentioned that they do disagree on certain things, but offered that as a good thing and why their relationship works and why they have been so successful.

Theo did stop short of saying they are jumping at the opportunity of extending Joe beyond the 2019 season. This is creating a lame duck situation that has as much opportunity to go right as it does to go not so well. Joe doesn’t seem like the type to hold professional grudges, but after navigating the club to four consecutive postseason appearances, which included three straight NLCS visits and the World Series championship, Maddon could feel slighted by not having a commitment to his future.

Theo did say that he and the rest of the executive staff has yet to discuss extensions. That perhaps in the coming days they will sit down and assess Joe’s job and future. He said they will then have any conversations with Joe, and if there’s news they would then tell the media. Theo was also sure to mention that there is a lot of recent precedent for managers to go into their final seasons, even when experiencing success, without a determination on their future with the club.

This was an important sequence during the “state of the Cubs” presser. In the statements Theo refuted any rumors on a premature firing or allowing him to walk. It also set a precedent that news of this level of importance will not be leaked to the media and will be released only by the Cubs executive staff.

So what does this all mean?

Right now, and unless there’s a giant change in thought from now until the front office has their discussions, Joe Maddon is the Cubs manager, they are happy he is the manager, and he will manage the team in 2019.

It could also mean things could change. But this would be Joe’s doing and not theirs. The Angels, outside the Cubs, are likely the only team that would either pay Joe a similar or higher salary. They (Angels) could also offer the security of several years, where the Cubs are only offer him the 2019 season.

Ultimitely, Joe will return as manager of the Chicago Cubs in 2019. Perhaps Joe can use the Angels job as leverage to get an extension, but I don’t see why the Cubs would extend him. Sure the accomplishments, but there are questions on how prepared the team is every single day. Sure they hit a goal of 95 wins, and that is an incredible accomplishment, but as Theo mentioned, there were days where the team won the first two games of a series and instead of going for a sweep they found themselves content just winning the series. Joe’s misuse of Brandon Morrow cost the club their closer and forced Joe to use other relievers more often than he should have. The escape from launch angle and inability to hit in situational conditions.

There is a quasi-universe where it’s likely Joe isn’t the Cubs manager, but there’s another universe with just as much chance that he is extended before the 2019 year.

Theo’s tone was one of disappointment, but optimism. He mentioned on several occasions how Willson Contreras would rock at his locker saying “the game is teaching me,” over and over. He mentioned how “getting your dick pounded into the sand,” as Jon Lester mentioned, could be very good for the Cubs in 2019. Seasons like this, in retrospect, can do more teaching to players and managers than winning a World Series can. I would expect Joe to also learn from this. To learn to not take a single game for granted any longer. We might see more urgency from the manager, which can translate to urgency to the team.

Maddon won’t be extended, but maybe, just maybe Joe uses 2018 to reignite this team.

Jamie Baker

Hi, I’m Jamie and I run this site. I’ve published work on multiple other sites and through that experience I decided to create CHICAGO style SPORTS. We truly aim to speak for the Chicago fan. Additionally, as a member of the IBWAA (Internet Baseball Writers Association of America) you can be assured that all content you read will be written with incredible integrity.

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