It is widely expected around the baseball world that former Rays manager, Joe Maddon, will be named the next manager of the Chicago Cubs, as early as tomorrow. While the specifics of a deal have not been outlined, there also is the fact that the Cubs currently have manager Rick Renteria under contract for two more seasons. Most likely, some buyout settlement will need to be reached to compensate Renteria for ending his time with the Cubs after one season.
How did we get to this point? Maddon exercised an opt-out clause in his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays last week. The clause was triggered when former Rays GM Andrew Friedman left his post with his team to take the President of Baseball Operations job with the Dodgers. After an unparalleled run of success in Rays’ history, Maddon knew it was time to leave. It’s simple enough; the Rays simply don’t have enough money to entice Maddon to stay, or to consistently field a winning ball club. Currently, the Rays are designed to develop their own talent through the minor league system, but when it comes time to pay them at the Major League level, the Rays can’t afford to keep their players. This happened for the first time this summer, when the team decided it was time to trade P David Price, who they knew they would not be able to afford to keep when his time for free agency came.
So, instead Maddon used the opt-out clause to his advantage, and went from a team in one of the smallest markets to a team in one of the biggest markets. The Cubs will most likely make Maddon one of the highest paid managers in the game today, and have money to spend. On top of that, the Cubs boast one of the best farm systems in baseball, with many of their top players, like SS Javier Baez and OF/3B Kris Bryant, ready to make an impact on the major league level. Other players, like OF Jorge Soler and SS Addison Russell still need to develop a little more in the minor leagues, but it won’t be long before they are ready to make an impact in the major league level. However, the most brilliant part of this move may be the Cubs’ severe need for pitching, and Joe Maddon, a former pitching coach, is a guru of sorts when it comes to pitching staffs. Now, Maddon comes to a team where he can build his own pitching staff, and has the money to keep his best players when they get to the Major Leagues.
Overall, I think this was the best move for the future of Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs. It will be interesting to watch the off season unfold, as I’d expect Chicago to be one of the biggest wheelers and dealers this off season.
