There has been a lot of speculation about Joe Girardi‘s next managerial stop after he pulled out of consideration for the Cincinnati Reds job. All of that speculation seems to be pointing at Chicago and a potential opening next season with the Cubs. Which Joe will lead the Cubs in 2020? Joe Maddon or Joe Girardi?
I know the popular opinion among Cubs fans is that the Cubs and Joe Maddon will find a way to get an extension done. While I’m in this camp as well, it’s not as easy as we might think it is.
There very well could be some animosity growing between Maddon and Theo Epstein. The Cubs had a complete meltdown offensively this past season, and all fingers were pointed firmly at Chili Davis. Not only was Davis’ offensive ideas limiting the power on the team, but it completely contradicts Theo’s launch angle philosophy – something Joe has questioned himself. Not only was letting Chili go a necessity to move the Cubs offense forward (yes, there are several offensive stats that showt this Cubs offense was better than overall results) but the hiring of a Theo guy in Anthony Iapoce were two warning shots towards Maddon.
Maddon has said the right things publicly, and appears that he wants to remain in Chicago as manager. Without an extension and Jed Hoyer’s and Theo’s crosshairs pointed at him this next season – could there be a mutual split after 2019?
I am starting to believe the only way Joe is retained is if the Cubs return to the World Series in 2019. I also think Joe Girardi’s people know this and is very well the biggest reason he decided to back out of the Reds job.
But does that mean Girardi will be the next Cubs manager? Absolutely, not.
Girardi was a fan favorite when he played for the Cubs, and since he’s had interest in coaching and has managed, it’s appeared that he would be a likely fit in Chicago. He’s experienced success, he demands results, he doesn’t care about stature, he’s hard nose old school type of guy.
All of those are reasons why he will not be the next Cubs manager.
If you recall, Girardi was fired from the (then) Florida Marlins job after a season for arguing with (then) team owner Jeffrey Loria. While Joe and Loria bickered over the owner’s criticism of umpires, there’s a time and a place for disagreements when barking up the chain, and in public doesn’t meet any of those circumstances. If you recall how quickly the Cubs got rid of Miguel Montero after he pointed a finger at Jake Arrieta, just imagine how fast things would come down if a manager publicly criticized Theo Epstein?
Joe was then hired to lead the New York Yankees back to their championship lore. In 10 seasons in New York, Joe won a championship and after a short rebuild he managed a group of overachievers to the ALCS in 2017. After the season he wasn’t asked back. Many outside of New York saw Joe as the man who lead the young Yankees to the ALCS ahead of schedule, but the team’s clubhouse told a very different story.
Yankees GM, Brian Cashman mostly noted Joe’s inability to connect and communicate with Yankees players. Not only was it Yankees players, but specifically younger players.
What has been mostly quieted since Joe was let go is, many speculated Girardi and Cashman disagreed on the usage of analytics in the game. Virtually the exact thing Theo spoke so passionately about in his end of year press conference.
So here is a guy that doesn’t communicate well with players, especially younger ones AND doesn’t believe in the analytics of today’s game.
How does that seem like a probable Theo Epstein manager!?
So it is very likely that 2019 is Maddon’s last as Cubs skipper (I hope not), but it is incredibly unlikely that Girardi takes over the reigns in Chicago.
