Lou Piniella is Almost Certainly Gone After Next Year

Manager Lou Piniella is under contract with the Chicago Cubs through next season, 2010. By then, he’ll be 67.

And it looks like he’ll be leaving the Cubs.

The Yankees could have chosen any team to be their first opponent, but Yankees general partner Hal Steinbrenner wanted Piniella to be part of the opening festivities, so the Cubs were his first choice.

Steinbrenner has told close friends he plans on hiring Piniella as a consultant when his managerial contract with the Cubs runs out after the 2010 season. chicagotribune.com.

Steinbrenner may plan what he pleases, but it takes two to tango, right? Except, Lou was recently asked about it, and he didn’t exactly hide his dancing shoes.

Q: You’ll be 67 at the end of your contract. Can you envision a scenario in which you would consider staying beyond that?

A: I’m looking at this thing right now as this year and next year.

Q: That doesn’t sound like you’re slamming the door shut on the possibility.

A: There’s no sense in slamming the door shut or keeping it open. Sooner or later, your career has got to come to an end. And assuming that I live into my 80s — assuming — I’ve lived already 75, 80 percent of my life. There’s other things that need to be done, and while you have good health, you take advantage of that.

Do you slam the door? No, but I’m not looking beyond, I’ll be honest with you. Chicago Sun Times.

Hopefully Lou will guide the Cubs to a World Championship before then, so no one will really care what he does.