There has been a ton of Cubs news in the last few days – Jason Heyward not opting out, Jose Quintana’s option picked up, Pedro Strop’s option picked up, Cole Hamels option picked up, Drew Smyly traded to the Texas Rangers, and more – but we’re not done yet.
If you recall, Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde had interviewed for as many as four open managerial gigs this winter – Angels, Rangers, Blue Jays, Twins – but it turns out, he won’t be leaving, after all:
More Cubs news today: Bench coach Brandon Hyde will return to the team in the same role after being a finalist for several managerial openings this off season, per a source. https://t.co/pt8uhOQM1z
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) November 2, 2018
Given the high-profile exits over the past year or so (bench coach Dave Martinez, front office exec Shiraz Rehamn) and the on-going concern that Jason McLeod, Jed Hoyer, and, indeed, Hyde could all leave for promotions elsewhere, you’ll forgive me if I’m happy to see the Cubs bench coach stick around. And, of course, that’s without mentioning the fact that Joe Maddon is entering the final year of his contract.
If Hyde had left this winter, been replaced for the 2019 season, and then Maddon was never extended and a new guy was brought in after next year, the amount of turnover at such a critical time in the Cubs competitive window would’ve been a concern of mine. But for at least one more season, the Maddon and Hyde combo will be covering the Cubs bench. And I’m happy about it.
As for Hyde, well, I’m sure it’s a bummer not to land any of these big league jobs, but his name is FIRMLY in the conversation now, and it probably always will be. If you think back, Dave Martinez was in a similar spot for years, before finally getting the keys to the Nationals last winter. Hyde’s turn will come, too. Whether it will be for the Cubs after this season … I’m not so sure (even if the Cubs do not extend Maddon, Hyde won’t be the only attractive target out there). But his turn is coming somewhere and some time. Until then, he’s a Cub.