The search for the Cubs’ new skipper appears to be coming to an end. According to a report from Peter Gammons, the Cubs will announce who the new manager will be sometime on Thursday. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are meeting one final time on Wednesday to discuss the candidates and make a final decision.
All signs and reports point to Rick Renteria being named skipper of the Cubs.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will not be granted permission to formally speak with Torey Lovullo. Boston’s ownership and front office is sticking to the agreement made between the two clubs that Epstein would not be able to hire Red Sox employees for a certain amount of time. While it has been two years already it appears the agreement could be for at least three years that the Cubs cannot hire any current Red Sox employees, whether they were in the organization or not at the time Epstein left.
Peter Gammons reported the Tigers did not beat the Cubs “to the punch” on Brad Ausmus and the front office was “very impressed” by Eric Wedge.