MLBTR linked an article that was written by Ken Rosenthal that discussed the Cubs manager Dale Sveum. Rosenthal's article Sooner or Later, Sveum's a Goner offers some information I had not yet read. Essentially, the Cubs hired Sveum as a bridge to the a bigger name.
But let’s get one thing straight: The Cubs did not hire Sveum to be a long-term answer. He was the caretaker, the bridge to the big-name manager who would “complete the job” once the team was ready to win.
Sveum knew it. The Cubs knew it. Everyone knew it.
So no one should pity Sveum if the Cubs dump him to hire Joe Girardi or some other manager. Not when Sveum has a year left on his contract, and not when the regressions of several developing Cubs raises the question of whether Sveum is right for a rebuilding club.
Few managers in baseball are employed for many years so common sense informs us that Sveum was not going to be a long-term solution. But just a bridge?
I'm not sure if I believe that. It doesn't really make a lot of sense. What if Dale Sveum turns out to be a great manager? Just fire him and hire big-name-manager to run a better team? I don't t hink so.
It would be foolish of anyone to think that the Cubs Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would do anything other hire Dale Sveum to be the team's manager now and all that applies to any other manager ever still applies. In other words, the Cubs hired a young manager they could pay not a lot of money to and yes, he'd be a caretaker, but which manager isn't if you boil it down? He's there to take care of the team and if or when he fucks it up, he's gone.
That's just how it works. But if Dale Sveum turns out to be just the kind of manager the front office is looking for, they'll keep him.
Comments
I think the FO likes Sveum just fine. That’s not going to stop them if someone they think is significantly better is available though (e.g. Maddon, Girardi, maybe Mike Maddux again).
BerseliusQuote Reply
I would definitely not hate Mike Maddux.
Manny Acta’s still out there.
sitrickQuote Reply
I think Rosenthal is making shit up. There’s nothing else to write about the Cubs in September 2013.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ sitrick:
I’d also like Maddux, but I bet he’s managing the Rangers next year. I think Washington gets the axe if they don’t make the WC.
NateQuote Reply
How much money would it take to drag the other Maddux off a golf course? I’d do that too.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
“just fine” might be overstating it, I think. If they liked it him “just fine” I don’t think there’s a single word about who the manager is next year and Thoyer answer quickly that Dale is. I expect the Cubs to go over this and analyze it, but really, this is something that has probably been done and what they’re doing now is seeing what kind of managers may be available if they fire him. I still think he’s the manager next year, but could see him being fired as early as May if Castro and Rizzo don’t improve.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
Do you think they might fire him just to get some fans in the seats? Be like “Look, we aren’t trying to lose any more! We are bringing (INSERT BIG NAME) in to take the team to .500!”
WaLiQuote Reply
I think Sveum will be fired, but not because he was ever a “bridge” to another manager. I think he will be fired for not developing the “core” pieces on this team.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
I think you can make strong arguments to fire him, jkv. I don’t know what they’ll do. They’re certainly looking around. I have no doubt about that, which can only mean the Cubs aren’t thrilled with what Sveum is doing.
I’m not sure what they’re going to do about attendance and if you go by Boras, they’re looking for $300 trillion for Cano and over $100 freaking million for Choo. Fuck that. I’d love to have Cano and he’ll obviously be expensive, but I wouldn’t go 10 years for him or anywhere near $300 million.
dmick89Quote Reply