The Chicago Cubs’ regular season – and postseason, since they didn’t qualify – comes to an end, mercifully, tomorrow afternoon. And while that’s notable for any number of page-turning reasons, the biggest and most obvious is the expiration of manager Joe Maddon’s five-year contract.
Strictly speaking, the Cubs have never ruled out a continuation of the relationship with Maddon, but the reality is, ever since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer declined to engage with Maddon on extension talks at this time last year, there was always a gloss of “I think maybe this is ending” coating every bit of the Cubs’ managerial conversation.
And it’s possible that could all become official tonight:
In St. Louis, prior to Saturday’s game, Maddon said he & Theo plan to get together tonight and discuss everything right now & the future “that sort of stuff.” Believes there will be a resolution. #Cubs
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) September 28, 2019
Maddon says he and Theo plan to talk tonight about his future with club. Says might have resolution/answer Sunday.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 28, 2019
Joe Maddon is scheduled to meet with Theo Epstein after Saturday night’s game in St. Louis, where the manager’s job status should finally be clarified.
Will drinks be involved?
“Probably, yeah,” Maddon said. “Not that I need any more of those.”
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) September 28, 2019
We may not hear any word on the shape of that conversation until tomorrow or Monday, but I would tentatively expect things to be laid out pretty plain, and then for Maddon or Epstein to be their typically honest selves before tomorrow’s game. We’ll see if anything leaks out tonight after the game.
Brace yourselves appropriately.