MLB Insiders Believe Cubs Manager Race is Down to 2 Candidates
By Karl Rasmussen
After the Cubs parted ways with Joe Maddon following an unsuccessful 2019 campaign, the team has been actively searching for his replacement. Well, Maddon's found a new home in L.A., while the Cubs continue their pursuit of a new skipper.
And according to MLB insiders, two favorites have emerged from the list of candidates, as David Ross and Joe Espada are said to have impressed in their interviews.
The Chicago Cubs came away impressed after interviewing Astros bench coach Joe Espada, per the Chicago Sun-Times.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) October 17, 2019
Insiders think that it's a two-man race for the Cubs manager job, between Joe Espada and David Ross. (Via the Sun-Times) https://t.co/UvKQalZ3Zw
Espada is currently the bench coach for the Astros, though he was able to interview for the position amid the team's playoff run.
It's been reported that Ross has the upper edge as things stand, but that could surely change if Espada can continue to impress.
Houston source tells me Astros coach Joe Espada had a sensational interview w/Cubs front office. “He gave Theo + Jed a lot to think about. They really liked him + came away exceptionally impressed. Was it enough to overcome David Ross’s relationship w/Theo and Jed? We’ll see.”
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) October 17, 2019
Ross has a great relationship with the front office, having played in Chicago for his final two major league seasons and winning the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
The Cubs will have to make their decision by Monday, lest wait until the conclusion of the World Series, so it's possible that Ross, or even Espada could be announced very soon.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are hoping to make the right choice, and they certainly won't be rushing to name their new skipper until they've thoroughly vetted the two remaining candidates.