Chicago Cubs

Cubs Will Interview 3 Internal Candidates for Managerial Job: Reports

The Cubs are moving quickly to replace Joe Maddon, who won't rejoin the club in 2020

The Chicago Cubs are casting a wide net for their managerial search, and according to multiple reports there are three candidates within the organization who will interview for the job.

According to those reports, including from MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian and NBC Sports Chicago’s Tony Andracki, the Cubs will interview special assistant David Ross, bench coach Mark Loretta, and first base coach Will Venable to replace Joe Maddon, who was not retained at the conclusion of the season.

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein had already named Ross as a candidate during his season-ending press conference on Monday, referencing comments Ross made during a TV appearance on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight.”

Epstein had also said that at least one of the Cubs’ coaches would be included in that group, and ultimately the team has decided to interview two different candidates from Maddon’s coaching staff.

Loretta, who briefly played with the Cubs during his big league career, was hired as the team’s bench coach prior to the 2019 season. He replaced Brandon Hyde in that role after Hyde left the Cubs to become manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

Venable has been with the Cubs’ organization since the 2017 season, when he was named a special assistant to Epstein. He was promoted to first base coach prior to the 2018 campaign, and has filled that role over the last two seasons.

The Cubs are expected to interview even more candidates for the managerial job in the coming weeks, as Epstein indicated that at least one of the candidates the team is targeting is still employed by a club currently in the postseason.

Other candidates, including former Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa and MLB Network analyst Joe Girardi have also been floated as potential candidates for the role.

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