Cubs Manager Search (Ross to be hired - Kaplan)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Eno Sarris compiled who he thinks are the best managerial candidates who haven't been managers yet: https://theathletic.com/1302054/

 

Eduardo Perez

Jayce Tingler

Sam Fuld

Mike Bell

David Hudgens

 

Will Venable

 

It’s possible that this is a little early to be touting Venable — who was playing as recently as 2016 — as a manager, but it’s also a good time to get out in front and put him on lists for the future. There might not have been a nicer player in the clubhouse when he put together over 3,000 plate appearances for the Padres, and that’s an important skill for a manager who has to interact with the media, the players, and his front office — and keep them all happy.

 

“He’s a pro’s pro,” said someone who’s known Venable for a long time. “He has the uncanny ability to connect with everyone he comes across.”

 

The son of an equally affable major-league player, Venable has been around baseball his whole life, and seems to possess natural leadership skills. Perhaps he needs to steep in some of the numbers and gain some experience putting together game plans, but in terms of communication, likability and leadership, Venable is someone to watch over the coming years.

 

 

Joe Espada

 

The current Astros bench coach has already wowed one team in an interview, if reports are to believed, and it’s easy to see how. Not only does he come from one of the gold-star teams in the business — one that has married analytics and player development like maybe no other — but he’s distinguished himself as a fastidious rock within that team’s day-to-day business.

 

“The first two words I would use to describe him would be diligent and organized,” said someone who has worked with him. “Always on the ball, always on top of things.”

 

The Puerto Rican-born Espada was also once an assistant to Brian Cashman in New York, so he’s seen inside at least two top-of-the-line organizations. He’s managed in winter ball and at the World Baseball Classic, and even some others who could be considered for managerial openings had to admit they thought he was a great person. He’s made many friends along the way, and knows how good organizations work.

 

David Ross

 

Dugouts everywhere are managed by former catchers, and it’s easy to see why. They are the center of the action on nearly every play, and see the game from the perspective of a manager on the field. And it’s not only X’s and O’s — which are determined by front offices more with every passing year anyway — it’s more than that. The catcher has to manage the personalities in his rotation and his bullpen, and be an effective communicator with them as they game plan.

 

“He’s just got an incredible ability to engage with people, hold them accountable, but be likable,” said one source. “He can just fit into any room and situation easily.”

 

Analytically, the game took off at the end of Ross’ career, and he’s been learning to keep up ever since. As a person and a leader, he’s already launched himself into the conversation.

[Regular Show]

I think it's down to those 2 candidates now (David Ross and Joe Espada).

 

My odds are like 70:30 in favor of Ross. I like Espada a lot, but Ross is fine if that's the direction they go with.

[UMFan83]

[Irrelevant Dude]

I suppose Ross could have already quietly had a second interview, or the Cubs know him well enough that it wasn't necessary. I'm thinking the job might be Espada's to lose though.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Joe Esperanto splitting time between being Cubs manager and Sec of Defense...not sure how that would work.

[Cubswin11]

I suppose Ross could have already quietly had a second interview, or the Cubs know him well enough that it wasn't necessary. I'm thinking the job might be Espada's to lose though.

Yeah I’m guessing they either did a second interview/have had follow up stuff with Ross or spent more time with him in the first interview. Also wonder if Espada maybe only had a few hours in his initial interview because of the CS/travel so maybe a two part interview was already planned.

[Deeg]

 

Things that makes you go "Hmmm..." for $500, Alex.

[Bertz]

I suppose Ross could have already quietly had a second interview, or the Cubs know him well enough that it wasn't necessary. I'm thinking the job might be Espada's to lose though.

Yeah I’m guessing they either did a second interview/have had follow up stuff with Ross or spent more time with him in the first interview. Also wonder if Espada maybe only had a few hours in his initial interview because of the CS/travel so maybe a two part interview was already planned.

 

Yeah I think it's probably something like this. Second interviews are generally to get the candidate a chance to talk with people they didn't speak with the first time. Ross might still go through one, but it also might be that, for example, Espada is going to do some meet and greet with Tom Ricketts whereas Tom already knows Ross well enough.

[biittner77]

I'd like to believe that interviewing Girardi and Ross were for the portion of the fan base (and maybe the owner) that would think that those guys were good hires but that they want someone who is a better match as far as baseball philosophy. That being said, I'm ok with them hiring Ross since that will force them to make the roster more foolproof so that even someone like Ross could win 96 games.

[HawkeTrackler]

 

Things that makes you go "Hmmm..." for $500, Alex.

 

There are no $500 clues in Jeopardy

[Banedon]

 

Things that makes you go "Hmmm..." for $500, Alex.

 

There are no $500 clues in Jeopardy

 

Umm...yes there are?

 

[mul21]

 

Things that makes you go "Hmmm..." for $500, Alex.

 

There are no $500 clues in Jeopardy

 

Umm...yes there are?

 

 

Nope. Not since like 2010 or something when they doubled everything. It's $200-$1,000 in round 1 and $400-$2,000 in round 2 now.

[Andy]

 

There are no $500 clues in Jeopardy

 

Umm...yes there are?

 

 

Nope. Not since like 2010 or something when they doubled everything. It's $200-$1,000 in round 1 and $400-$2,000 in round 2 now.

It was around the time of the Ken Jennings run when they made that double. Probably due to do it again soon.

[SouthSideRyan]

Jeopardy amounts changed in ‘01. The big change for Jennings was they removed the 5 day max.

 

Winnings have exploded of late, they have no need to double.

[biittner77]

 

Things that makes you go "Hmmm..." for $500, Alex.

 

There are no $500 clues in Jeopardy

 

Because they are answers, hence phrasing in the form of a question. Also the doubling thing.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You can wager $500 on a daily double or final jeopardy. Stop belittling the poor, dumb bastards who did not know amounts were increased.

[Old Style]

Smells like nerd up in here.

[Cubswin11]

I’d recommend reading the whole thing but this part stood out.

 

 

As vital as the analytic side of the game has become for managers, Espada still considers himself both a teacher and a strategist. Finding the perfect balance between all three is the sweet spot he believes a modern-day manager needs in order to succeed.

 

“There’s a human side, an analytical side, a strategy side; how can I use the numbers and the information to make in-game decisions?” Espada said. “I have been blessed to be with two organizations in the Yankees and Astros whose infrastructures are designed for the new ways of thinking. It has been mind-blowing to surround yourself with smart people and smart front offices. It makes a huge difference.”

 

[Cubswin11]

[Post Count Padder]

Announced as early as Thursday that he's Joe Espada's bench coach?

[UK]

 

Someone needs to quickly morph GR and Vance together to campaign against Ross.

[Brian]

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[Bertz]

I'll say this. Espada is my preferred choice. In my mind, Alex Cora had the best resume you could possibly have for a manager job without already having manager experience, and it obviously worked out as well as you could hope. Espada has basically the same resume as Cora, minus the stint as a tv studio analyst.

 

For Ross, we basically already know that he has the soft skills to succeed in the role, especially with our group of guys. Considering that most of a manager's job nowadays *is* the soft skills, that's a big plus. The other two parts of the job are handling the media and handling in game strategy. Ross's TV experience means that we certainly don't have to worry about his ability to handle the media. That basically just leaves the in game stuff, which is not that hard (though he'll inevitably flub something in embarrassing fashion, every rookie manager does).

 

All that is to say that neither of the two is a bad choice, even though there will inevitably be histrionics either way.

[Regular Show]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/latest-on-david-ross-cubs.html

 

I haven't listened to the interview yet, but David Ross sounds pretty good in here.

 

Maddon’s 'old school to the core; he just uses the analytics in his favor for certain wacky situations where he may take the pitcher and put him in left field,' according to Ross. While Ross noted that Maddon’s methods with the Cubs came off as unconventional, '90 percent of the time, it worked out.'

 

It wasn't working "90% of the time" this season lol. I think Maddon understood modern analytics, but he went with his gut/intuition far too often. Analytics just means using all available info and data and statistical analysis to make the best informed decision possible, and clearly Maddon wasn't doing that.

 

I think Espada would be a great hire (and I think MLB needs more diversity), but Ross should be fine and I think the FO has been grooming him for this role. I believe the announcement will happen next week.

[Banedon]

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