According to reports from Comcast SportsNet and the Sun-Times, the Cubs are expected to interview Dave Martinez on Thursday. Martinez would be the fourth managerial candidate the front office has interviewed over the last 12 days.
Dave Martinez would check several of the boxes for Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer in what they are looking for in the next manager of the Cubs. Martinez is familiar with the Chicago market thanks to two stints with the Cubs and another on the South Side. And while he does not have any managerial experience, Martinez has been in a big league dugout for the last six seasons as Joe Maddon’s bench coach in Tampa. Martinez just turned 49 in September.
Dave Martinez told the Tampa Tribune that he is ready to manage and is excited about the opportunity to interview for the Cubs’ job. Martinez said he is “really fond of Wrigley Field” and it’s always been his favorite place to play. Martinez has interviewed in the past for jobs in Toronto, Cleveland and Houston, plus he was a candidate to be the White Sox’s skipper before Kenny Williams hired Robin Ventura.
The Cubs are seeking a bilingual presence on the coaching staff and three of the four candidates are each fluent in Spanish and English. Rick Renteria, who the Cubs interviewed on Monday in San Diego, and Dave Martinez are thought to be higher on the Cubs’ list right now than Manny Acta and A.J. Hinch.
The front office is “looking for a bilingual teacher who can develop young players” and with Latin players such as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantara and Christian Villanueva closing in on the majors, plus Starlin Castro, Welington Castillo and Junior Lake are already on the roster, the Cubs’ brass is expecting the clubhouse to have a strong Latin presence for quite some time. And if the Cubs’ next manager does not speak Spanish, his bench coach will.
Theo Epstein has said “the ability to lead and the ability to communicate with and develop young players are key.”
Stay tuned for updates from The Cubs’ Skipper Search …