Multiple outlets confirmed the Sun-Times report that the front office is looking to hire Bill Mueller to be the Cubs’ new hitting coach. Mueller would be one of possible two hitting coaches on Rick Renteria’s staff. The front office knows they cannot miss on what will be the team’s third hitting coach in three seasons. Mueller has mainly been working in the Dodgers’ front office since he retired. Mueller served as a special assistant to GM Ned Colletti before replacing Eddie Murray on an … [Read more...]
The Rumor Season is Underway and Other Cubs News and Notes
The GM Meetings and Owners Meetings began on Monday in Orlando. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer arrived early in the afternoon and met with the media. Hoyer confirmed the Cubs’ interest in Masahiro Tanaka and indicated the Cubs are looking to hire two hitting coaches with both positions likely to be filled from outside the organization. As is the case every year, the rumors began to fly out of the GM Meetings before the attention turned to the BBWAA awards. Jose Fernandez of the Marlins and Wil … [Read more...]
Cubs to Focus on Coaching Staff, Adding Pitching and the Process with Tanaka
With Rick Renteria in the fold and the GM Meetings beginning on Monday in Orlando, the Cubs should be extremely busy over the next six weeks leading up to the Christmas Holidays. Not only will the Cubs name their Major League coaching staff, but minor league coaching assignments will be announced in the coming weeks. The deadline to set their reserve roster to protect players from the Rule 5 draft is Nov. 20 and teams have until Dec. 2 to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players and … [Read more...]
Rick Renteria In, Chris Bosio Back and Other Cubs News and Notes
Rick Renteria was introduced as the 53rd manager in franchise history during a conference call with the Chicago media on Thursday afternoon. Renteria said all of the right things during the 30 minute teleconference and Theo Epstein was complimentary of his new skipper. Epstein explained that Renteria has an "impeccable reputation" and he tried to hire him as a field coordinator in Boston more than a decade ago. Rick Renteria said the one thing the players need is confidence and his team will be … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce the Hiring of Rick Renteria
The Cubs officially announced the hiring of Rick Renteria as the 53rd manager in franchise history just after noon on Thursday. Renteria signed a three-year contract that includes club options for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The financial terms of the contract have not been released. Rick Renteria will meet with the Chicago media via a phone press conference at 4:30pm CST on Thursday. … [Read more...]
Updating the Skipper Search: Cubs Might Not Be Able to Interview Torey Lovullo
Multiple outlets confirmed Ken Rosenthal’s report that the Red Sox might not allow Torey Lovullo to interview for the Cubs’ managerial opening based on the agreement made between the two teams when Theo Epstein left Boston for Chicago more than two years ago. As part of the compensation the Red Sox received for letting Epstein out of the final year of his contract, the Cubs were not allowed to hire any Red Sox personnel to fill positions with the Cubs. Reports at the time indicated the Red … [Read more...]
Cubs to Formally Interview Torey Lovullo
As expected the Cubs will formally interview Red Sox’s bench coach Torey Lovullo for the managerial opening in the coming week. Ken Rosenthal reported on Sunday morning that Torey Lovullo would "indeed interview with the Cubs, most likely early this week." Torey Lovullo would be the seventh known candidate to sit down with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer about the Cubs’ job. … [Read more...]
Ausmus Interviews, McKay Leaves, Lovullo Next for the Cubs?
The Cubs’ skipper search is heating up and at some point next week the front office may be ready to name their new manager Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer reportedly met with the sixth managerial candidate on Friday at Wrigley Field. Epstein and Hoyer spent the day with Brad Ausmus and talked baseball with the former big league catcher. The 44-year old Ausmus’ stock within the Cubs’ organization was reportedly rising before he interviewed with the front office on Friday. Brad Ausmus joins a … [Read more...]
Cubs Interview Brad Ausmus for Managerial Vacancy
According to multiple reports, the Cubs are interviewing Brad Ausmus in Chicago on Friday. Rumors have suggested the front office had already spoken to Ausmus about the Cubs' job and he was thought to be the mystery candidate that received an interview. Brad Ausmus has connections with Jed Hoyer from their days together in San Diego, and recent reports indicated Ausmus' stock was rising within the Cubs' front office. The Cubs are still expected to formally interview Torey Lovullo for the … [Read more...]
Cubs Managerial Search Expected to Kick into High Gear
Reports should surface in the next couple of days that the Cubs have asked for and been granted permission from the Red Sox to interview Torey Lovullo. The Red Sox are basking in the glory of winning their third World Series Championship in 10 years but soon after the parade on Saturday morning, Ben Cherington should receive a phone call from either Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer. While Brad Ausmus’ stock maybe rising within the Cubs’ organization, the front office has been waiting for the Red Sox … [Read more...]