Change....m-w.com defines change as to make different in some particular, to make radically different and to give a different position, course or direction to....and that definition fits what is happening at 1060 West Addison just one day after the season ended. As been reported Andy MacPhail resigned on Sunday and the Cubs chose not to extend the contract of Dusty Baker on Monday....so where do the Cubs go from here?
The rumor mill about Dusty's replacement has been in full swing for some time now but on Monday it kicked into full gear....here is the latest.
Updated 6:25am C.T.
Phil Rogers was on XM Radio on Monday with Chuck Wilson on the Baseball Beat and said that Lou Piniella will be offered the Cubs job and it will be his to turn down. He stated that Jim Hendry has to "win now" and he will hire someone with experience. When asked about Joe Girardi, Rogers stated that he would be Hendry's second choice.
Speaking of Joe Girardi, ESPN Radio and WGN TV reported on Monday that the Marlins are expected to release him from his managerial duties on Tuesday. Also on the Girardi front, he has been receiving a lot of bad press of late, especially in the Miami and Chicago markets. Some have questioned his managerial style and have compared him to Buck Showalter and have stated he is a "control freak" and the fact his players to not "like playing for him". Whether or not Girardi will be the new manager is anyone's guess but Andre Dawson was recently on XM Radio singing the praises of Girardi and contradicted every negative report in the Chicago and Miami markets.
Cubs.com mentioned a name on Monday that has not made the rounds....Gary Varsho. Another ex-Cub, Varsho is currently on the coaching staff of the Phillies.
Of course Fredi Gonzalez was mentioned. Gonzalez has been rumored to be the top choice of several teams, including the Marlins if indeed they do release Girardi. Gonzalez was in the Marlins organization before joining up with Bobby Cox and the Braves. Gonzalez may have been the "hot name" that Hendry was referring to in Monday's Press Conference.
Barry Rozner mentioned in Monday's Daily Herald that Bob Brenly could be on the Cubs' list with John McDonough being named the Cubs' Interim President. Rozner also mentioned the fact that Steve Stone could be back in the Cubs picture sooner than later. Rozner stated that Stone could be brought aboard as an advisor and mentioned that if Jim Hendry is let go then Steve Stone could become the GM of the Cubs. He also mentioned that Girardi "may be the front runner" but that "the field just widened" with the promotion of McDonough.
Trey Hillman is a name that has not received much publicity. He is in his 4th year as the Manager of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the Japanese Pacific League. Phil Rogers brought up his name on Sunday in the Tribune and his name has been making small waves. Rogers even mentioned that if the Cubs do hire Piniella, Hillman could be named as the bench coach and eventual replacement for Piniella.
Chris De Luca recently mentioned that Terry Francona of the Red Sox and Bruce Bochy of the Padres could be possible replacements for Dusty Baker.
Jim Fregosi is another name that has been making the rounds.
Stay tuned to the CCO and remember to check the RSS Feeds that are on the main page of the site. If a story breaks this off-season, the headline will be there or at the top of the main page. Change is also in progress here at the CCO, look for additions to the site....coming soon.
Gotta love the Hot Stove....
Update - According to the Palm Beach Post on Tuesday morning, Joe Girardi is scheduled to meet with the Marlins at 9:00am on Tuesday and they will interview Fredi Gonzalez on Tuesday for their managerial opening.
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