Update: Dale Sveum has accepted the Cubs offer. Final details may still have to be worked out, but the deal will be done today. You are now looking at the Cubs new manager. The Cubs will hold a press conference tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at the Friendly Confines. Sveum receives a 3 year contract through 2014 and a club option for 2015. Now to move onto other priorities…
According to multiple reports, the Cubs will name Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum their new manager. Sveum will be the 58th manager in team history. The Cubs reportedly offered Sveum the job and he has 24-48 hours to accept. He was the only one to have a second interview with the Cubs. We don’t think Sveum was the Cubs first choice, but Mike Maddux was most likely their first choice. However, Maddux withdrew from the managerial race due to family matters. Media outlets report there’s no way he will decline the Cubs job, so we’re probably looking at the Cubs new manager in the form of Sveum. The only statement the Cubs gave yesterday was that the “process is moving along”.
The Cubs most likely narrowed it down to Sveum and Sandy Alomar Jr., since Francona said he was not going to manage in 2012, Mike Maddux withdrew, Ben Cherington said DeMarlo Hale would be back next year and Pete Mackanin was never considered a real option.
Dale Sveum also had a second interview with the Red Sox on Tuesday. The meeting lasted about two-and-a-half hours. However, Sveum left the meeting with no offer and it seems like the Cubs beat the Red Sox to the punch. It was cited that Dale Sveum was their first choice and now they will have to move onto other options. The Red Sox list of candidates was more vast than the Cubs and I saw their include at least nine, with their owner saying more candidates could be in play. We could see a surprise manager over in Boston. If I had to guess, I would say Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. will be their next skipper in Boston and that wouldn’t be a bad choice.
If Dale Svuem were to accept the Cubs deal, an announcement would be expected Friday. I don’t think the press conference will be on Friday, but I say on Tuesday, as they like Tuesday press conferences. That’s when Theo Epstein was announced as new President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer as new General Manager and when Mike Quade was fired.
When Dale Sveum had his first interview, he praised free agent Prince Fielder. Does that mean the Cubs could make a play for Prince Fielder? He would reunite with his old hitting coach (which he really does not need) and Chicago may be more of an attractive spot for him to land. That’s more speculation on my part, however.
Other Notes:
According to David Kaplan, the Cubs will re-sign Kerry Wood and it could be a two-year deal. I would be fine with that. I’m just happy that he will be returning.
Ugh, the Cubs and Red Sox received more time on the compensation talks and the MLB allowed the extension again. Both clubs were talking late last night, but we don’t know exactly for what. Could be compensation or a trade. My guess is that it has to be for compensation. However, if the Cubs and Red Sox did match up in a trade, that could be for compensation too. The Boston Globe reports the Red Sox still want a pretty good compensation package. Is it just me or does it feel like this will never end? I think that the MLB needs to step in and play mediator.
The Cubs could have interest in Eric Chavez if he does not retire. He would be signed to a one-year contract and would serve as a stopgap at the hot corner. To be honest, I would rather have DJ LeMahieu or Josh Vitters over at third base. DJ or Vitters could put up better stats than Chavez and it would be better to play the kids. I don’t see a Chavez signing, unless it was for a bench role.
That’s the latest from a Wednesday at the GM Meetings, taken over by the Cubs new manager Dale Sveum.
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