Morning Maddon: Discussions Reportedly Happening, Decision This Week?

joe maddon raysIt’s crazy that just five days ago, Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs was not a thing. Now it feels like this gigantic, horned monster wearing velvet shoes that dominates our every thought. Everyone can see it, so everyone has to talk about it. Why is he wearing those velvet shoes? We want to know! He’s not telling anyone why he’s wearing them, but we know he’ll tell us soon. So we keep peeking around the corner at him, hoping we won’t take a horn in the nose for our trouble.

  • This Sun-Times report indicates that the Cubs have been in discussions with Maddon, which was already expected to be true, but I suppose this is the first report that flat out says it. Sources tell Daryl Van Schouwen that the Cubs could have their Maddon answer by Friday.
  • Buster Olney had Tim Kurkjian and Jesse Rogers on his podcast, each of whom was asked whether they would make a bet with Olney: he gets Maddon to the Cubs as manager, and they get every other team and every other job. Neither would take the bet with Olney, indicating that each believes Maddon to the Cubs as manager is more likely than any other possible outcome at this point. I wouldn’t take the bet either.
  • Joel Sherman discusses the expectation that a tampering charge is coming if the Cubs do hire Maddon, and also asks the question – but provides no answer – about what happens with the Cubs’ coaching staff. If the Cubs hire Maddon, those are immediately going to be among the two most interesting manager-related discussions. (At least keep Chris Bosio and Lester Strode (also John Mallee and Eric Hinske, since one was just hired and the other passed on a chance to jump ship to the Yankees …. ))
  • A great interview with Maddon from a few weeks ago on the changing nature of offense in the game. We’ll have to discuss this kind of thing in greater depth if the Cubs do end up making a move.
  • I’m going to assume that all necessary negotiations have taken place at this point (there’s no World Series restriction there), and the only reason we’ve not yet heard an answer is because of the World Series news blackout. If I were doing some extrapolating, I would say that implies the Cubs will be getting Maddon, because if they weren’t, announcing that they were gladly sticking with Rick Renteria wouldn’t really constitute a major transaction announcement of the kind frowned upon by MLB (and would actually help put attention back on the World Series). Because that announcement hasn’t come, and because we believe the sides have been in negotiations … well, you do the math. That’s a big part of the reason I put the chances that the Cubs get Maddon at pretty likely yesterday, even as I admit that I don’t know anything, and we’ve all seen how crazy things can happen behind the scenes to scuttle a deal.
  • It’s also possible that I’m wrong in assuming that all necessary negotiations have already taken place, and there could still be a lot to discuss before a decision is made one way or another. I hope that’s not the case, mostly for Rick Renteria. Whatever is to come, you’d like to see him – and the Cubs, frankly – know as soon as possible. I guess that’s true for most of the coaching staff, too. This has got to be a tough time for them, given that the Renteria-related uncertainty partially extends to them, as well.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    REPORT: Cubs to DFA Garrett Cooper

    Garrett Cooper DFA — Earlier today, Tommy Birch caught word of Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski making their way up to Chicago, though no one has had the corresponding moves just yet. What we do know is that Wesneski would...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 23, 2024: Studs and Duds of the Week

    As I typed this, news broke that the Cubs were promoting Matt Mervis from Iowa to Chicago. So, we'll start this week's Studs and Duds on the Cubs farm with Mervis, who has been impressive this season. Plus, Kevin Alcántara...

    What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

    This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

    Get ‘Em While They’re Down: Cubs vs Astros – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Astros — Splitting a four-gamer against the current, badly-struggling Miami Marlins is unquestionably a bad outcome, especially when one of those two losses was a win-in-hand that slipped away into the seats. But the typical, and maddeningly correct,...

    REPORT: Cubs Are Calling Up Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski

    I was literally in the middle of an article asking "What Are the Cubs Going to Do with Matt Mervis," when this news came across the wire. The Cubs first base picture is fully settled with the left-handed Michael Busch...

    South Side Horror Show (and Campfire Milkshakes), Alzolay and Evolving Relief Roles, and Other Cubs Bullets

    It's going to be a really good year for Horror movies. Late Night with the Devil was good (just saw it the other night). And I've got my eyes on Long Legs, Cuckoo, The First Omen, Immaculate, MaXXXine, In a...

    Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

    A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we'll see. First, you have...

    Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

    A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

    Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

    On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

    MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

    There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

    Latest News

    2024 Los Angeles Chargers Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Wide Receiver & Tackle

    The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and the Los Angeles Chargers hold the coveted fifth overall pick. With a young, dynamic quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers are poised to make a serious playoff run. But to take that...

    FanDuel Promo Code: $5 Bet on NBA Wins You $150 Including Bucks vs Pacers

    In the dynamic world of sports betting, the FanDuel promo code stands out as a great way to start on a premier platform for enthusiasts looking to elevate their NBA betting experience. With the NBA season in full swing, the...

    Paul George Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    At 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Los Angeles Clippers versus the Dallas Mavericks, with Paul George needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Paul George's Three-Pointer...

    James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    On Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, the Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and James Harden's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires three trifectas.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Kyrie Irving Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    At 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers, with Kyrie Irving needing four treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer...

    Luka Doncic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Luka Doncic needs to make five 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Dallas Mavericks play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Luka Doncic's Three-Pointer Prop...

    2024 NBA Draft: Which Big Names Have Already Declared?

    The 2024 NBA Draft is fast approaching! We're just about two months away from the NBA's premier offseason event. While we don't quite know the order of the teams selecting yet, we're starting to get commitments on who will be...

    When is the 2024 NFL Draft? Dates, Location, Mock Drafts, Pick Order

    It's finally here, folks! The event every football franchise and fan alike circles on their calendar. The 2024 NFL Draft! The air crackles with anticipation as franchises across the league gear up to reshape their destinies. Quarterback-hungry teams sit on...

    REPORT: Cubs to DFA Garrett Cooper

    Garrett Cooper DFA — Earlier today, Tommy Birch caught word of Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski making their way up to Chicago, though no one has had the corresponding moves just yet. What we do know is that Wesneski would...

    2024 Zurich Classic Odds, History, & Picks: The pairings to bet from The Big Easy

    Teamwork takes center stage in The Big Easy as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans. Let’s take a quick look at the 2024 Zurich Classic odds. 2024 Zurich Classic Odds, History, Picks It's that time again in the Big...

    more cubs news