Report: Maddon To Be Named Cubs Manager

(CBS) The Cubs will name Joe Maddon their next manager, CBSSports.com MLB insider Jon Heyman reported late Wednesday afternoon.

Several local media outlets reported the deal isn’t done, but they added the sides are close to reaching a deal. Heyman reported that Maddon and the Cubs are on the verge of agreeing to a “mega deal.”

The move has been rumored since last Friday when Maddon opted out of his contract with the Rays. Maddon’s regarded as one of the best managers in all of baseball, leading the Rays to winning seasons in six of his nine years in Tampa Bay, an organization with limited resources. The Rays also advanced to the 2008 World Series.

The 60-year-old Maddon was named the American League Manager of the Year in 2008 and 2011.

Maddon had a .517 winning percentage in his nine years in Tampa Bay. He was eligible to opt out of his contract because former Rays general manager Andrew Friedman left to take a job overseeing baseball operations for the Dodgers.

The Cubs have been silent on their reported talks with Maddon. It’s MLB’s practice to not allow personnel announcements to be made during the World Series, so it’s unlikely the team will comment tonight.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein has always been fond of Maddon, as he almost hired Maddon to manage the Red Sox when he was in Boston. Many believe Maddon will be a good fit in instructing the Cubs’ wave of young talent making its way to the major leagues, as he helped young talent blossom with the Rays.

Maddon taking over would mark the end of Rick Renteria’s one-year stint as manager. Renteria could be reassigned, as he still has two years left on his contract with Chicago.

The Cubs went 73-89 under Renteria in 2014, and youngsters Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo improved under his watch.