Phil Rogers Speculation: Joe Maddon to Cubs?

[EpsteinCubs]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1027-rogers-cubs-chicago--20111027,0,541324.column

Andrew Friedman, the supposedly unavailable general manager of the Rays, recently went for dinner in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., with Arte Moreno, owner of the Angels. Dan Feinstein, the Rays' director of baseball operations, just left to join the Athletics.

 

This begs a question: Could Joe Maddon figure into Theo Epstein's considerations as he weighs the Cubs' managerial situation?

 

 

Twenty-nine teams probably would offer Maddon a job if they had an opening, and Epstein is especially well acquainted with him. He was the other finalist when Epstein hired Terry Francona, and then he admired him from across the field during the head-to-head battles between the Red Sox and Maddon's Rays the last six seasons.

 

Maddon is under contract for 2012, however, and has said publicly he and Friedman plan to remain working together with the Rays, who have been frustrated with poor attendance and lagging revenue while captive to a Tropicana Field lease that runs through 2026.

[Sammy Sofa]

Holy [expletive] [expletive] in a [expletive] tree covered with [expletive] sauce all full of [expletive].

 

That wouldn't even be fair.

[Derwood]

That's not even funny to tease about

[Little Slide Rooter]

[expletive], this has already been the greatest offseason of our lifetime and they havn't even started on the players. Keep em coming Theo.

[OleMissCub]

yeah, not cool to joke about that

[Rob]

Idle speculation with no supporting evidence aside from "well, other guys in TB have left or might be willing to."

 

Rogers sucks for getting my hopes up.

[Clem Fandango]

[expletive] you, Phil Rogers

[Butterscup1679666578]

yeah rogers is being a dick for no reason.

[shnsajax]

Even though the title had Phil Rogers in it, it was enough to make me pitch a tent.

[davell]

We just got Theo [expletive] Epstein. We just got Hoyer and McLeod as [expletive] lieutenants. This isn't possible. It's [expletive] probable.

[Theo]

Nothing but pointless speculation by the Oracle of Baseball Stupidity

[seanimal]

rogers is such a joke. "rick hahn is the right man for the job" umm, based on what, exactly?

[CyHawk_Cub]

Yeah, screw you Rogers...but w/ that being said, Maddon would be about the only managerial candidate that actually excites me

[Backtobanks]

The compensation to Boston, San Diego, and Tampa Bay would wipe out our farm system.

[C.C.]

Never going to happen. At least not this year. Why would they let go of Maddon if he's under contract for another year?

[biittner77]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire: Epstein said he had a "great conversation" with Quade the other day. Quade manages the last year of his deal and then Maddon comes in after his TB contract expires. That seems more plausible.

 

How would Joe Maddon's managerial style play in the NL?

[javy knows my name]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire: Epstein said he had a "great conversation" with Quade the other day. Quade manages the last year of his deal and then Maddon comes in after his TB contract expires. That seems more plausible.

 

I would be profoundly happy if this exact thing happened, and I see no reason why it shouldn't.

 

I'm having trouble reconciling these two statements.

[jersey cubs fan]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire: Epstein said he had a "great conversation" with Quade the other day. Quade manages the last year of his deal and then Maddon comes in after his TB contract expires. That seems more plausible.

 

I would be profoundly happy if this exact thing happened, and I see no reason why it shouldn't.

 

I'm having trouble reconciling these two statements.

 

I would hate to go through another season with that idiot on the bench. It's painful to watch the guy screw up so many things so often. Unless Theo really lays down the law with how he handles Castro and the starting pitchers (specifically not leave them in too long) I could not tolerate this.

[davell]

I don't want Quade back unless this IS going to be a season where Theo is evaluating everything. In this case, Theo would have to lay down the law and explain to him that he's got to play the rookies over the vets once things are decided. The way Quade handled Colvin after Fukudome was dealt last year was downright [expletive]. Coupled with how he's handled our pitching staff, Theo has his work cut out for him watching over this moron, if he's going to keep him on.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't want Quade back unless this IS going to be a season where Theo is evaluating everything.

 

Theo doesn't need a season to evaluate things. It's pretty clear he's well aware of what this team does poorly. He couched it in diplomatic terms but he's well aware of who is an idiot. He's not Dusty.

[davell]

I don't want Quade back unless this IS going to be a season where Theo is evaluating everything.

 

Theo doesn't need a season to evaluate things. It's pretty clear he's well aware of what this team does poorly. He couched it in diplomatic terms but he's well aware of who is an idiot. He's not Dusty.

If Theo decides he wants a manager like Maddon or even Tito, who may take a year off, then this would be considered an evaluation season. Because he can't just come out and say Quade is a lame duck, although I think it'd be kind of funny.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't want Quade back unless this IS going to be a season where Theo is evaluating everything.

 

Theo doesn't need a season to evaluate things. It's pretty clear he's well aware of what this team does poorly. He couched it in diplomatic terms but he's well aware of who is an idiot. He's not Dusty.

If Theo decides he wants a manager like Maddon or even Tito, who may take a year off, then this would be considered an evaluation season. Because he can't just come out and say Quade is a lame duck, although I think it'd be kind of funny.

 

Nobody has to say a manager in the final year of his contract is a lame duck, they just are.

[C.C.]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire: Epstein said he had a "great conversation" with Quade the other day. Quade manages the last year of his deal and then Maddon comes in after his TB contract expires. That seems more plausible.

 

How would Joe Maddon's managerial style play in the NL?

 

Theo was being nice.

[CUBZ99]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire: Epstein said he had a "great conversation" with Quade the other day. Quade manages the last year of his deal and then Maddon comes in after his TB contract expires. That seems more plausible.

 

How would Joe Maddon's managerial style play in the NL?

 

Theo was being nice.

 

Yes, and has been pointed out, Theo is traveling to Quade's place next week to discuss Quade's future. That certainly doesn't bode well for Quade remaining with the team.

 

Either way, Maddon's statements today suggest pretty strongly that he will remain with the Rays.

[Guest]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire: Epstein said he had a "great conversation" with Quade the other day. Quade manages the last year of his deal and then Maddon comes in after his TB contract expires. That seems more plausible.

 

How would Joe Maddon's managerial style play in the NL?

 

Theo was being nice.

 

Yes, and has been pointed out, Theo is traveling to Quade's place next week to discuss Quade's future. That certainly doesn't bode well for Quade remaining with the team.

 

Either way, Maddon's statements today suggest pretty strongly that he will remain with the Rays.

 

Not questioning it, just wondering.... where was this reported?