NEWSLETTER
With a couple off-days before the World Series begins, it’s a time for managerial movement around baseball, if teams are ready to do so.
The Cubs? Not ready. Because they want to talk to that Astros coach with the impressive resume once again:
Joe Espada is on his way to Chicago for a second managerial interview with the Cubs, per a source. Cubs were clearly impressed with what they heard last week from the Astros bench coach.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) October 20, 2019
Given the interest in Espada from other clubs, that’s an extremely interesting revelation. It means not only that the Cubs are very serious in their interest, but also that Espada – who has yet to interview with any other club – is serious in his interest in the Cubs, using the off-day to interview again with the Cubs, specifically.
Although it is customary for these kinds of moves to take place after a team is out of the postseason, it isn’t unprecedented that a coach could be hired away from a team still in the postseason. In fact, how about this? Two years ago, the Astros eliminated the Yankees in the ALCS, and the next day, their bench coach was announced as the new manager of another team. It was Alex Cora and the Red Sox that time, but there’s a pretty clear parallel precedent.
Is it possible that if the Cubs are blown away today they could make a decision, and an announcement, as soon as today?
It’s also possible that the Cubs are truly down to Espada and David Ross, and while there is time – before he looks elsewhere – the Cubs really, really want to make sure they don’t want Espada over Ross. (Note that it’s unlikely the front office feels they need a second interview with Ross.)
