The Chicago Cubs added a new quality assurance coach this weekend in the form of fan favorite Henry Blanco, but we’re still waiting on Joe Maddon’s staff to be finalized in whole.
It seems unlikely that there would be an overhaul at this point, but there is at least one big name out there with an obvious connection to Maddon: his long-time bench coach, Dave Martinez.
Martinez was recently passed over for the Rays’ managerial gig, and it isn’t presently known what his next move will be. It seems likely that the Rays would allow him to explore other options, even though he’s technically under contract for 2015, and Ken Rosenthal reports that will include the possibility of coming to the Cubs:
Source: #Rays would not stand in Dave Martinez’s way if #Cubs or another club request to interview him for a coaching position.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 25, 2014
We don’t know whether the Cubs are interested in bring in Martinez at this time, but it’s good to know that it’s at least a likely possibility from the Rays’ perspective. Obviously there are some … tensions there.
And just as I get ready to post this piece, an update on Martinez breaks:
Davey Martinez has decided to leave the Rays. #Rays
— Bill Chastain (@wwchastain) November 25, 2014
So we’ll see where this goes.