Cub Tracks would like to manage again

Well, the manager derby has begun, and the candidates are throwing their hats into the ring. It’s an odd job, but it pays well. Just don’t lose your head over it.

A good portion of the 40-Man Roster is waiting for the ejector button as well.

Who is the man with the Midas Touch? It remains to be seen. As soon as I know, you’ll know. My word is my bond.

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

“... any job out there is going to interest me because I would like to manage again.” — Joe Girardi.

• MLB’s Sean Casey says Joe Maddon deserves statue... outside Wrigley Field. “That guy will forever be a legend.”
• Rick Morrissey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Hiring David Ross as manager would be a step in the same direction for Cubs. “Ross would fit in with Clark the mascot, “Go Cubs Go,” the Rickettses’ Wrigleyville theme park and all the other snuggly aspects of the operation that can be marketed.”
• Tim Bannon (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 9 things to know about Joe Girardi, including the time he turned down Sammy Sosa’s boombox and his love for Ron Santo pizza. Girardi is interested, says Tim Stebbins. Evan Altman says nay. Paul Sullivan thinks about it.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): What the Cubs are looking for in their next manager. “Cultivating a winning culture behind the scenes,” Epstein said. Andracki has more manager names. Evan Altman speculates about some of them. Jordan Bastian confirms those names, and says Theo Epstein says it’s a nuanced process. Larry Hawley has the Cubs starting from within.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): The Cubs are very explicitly NOT going to say what payroll will look like next year. “... something Epstein said this week that is going to frame all the conversations to come.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs roster outlook for 2020: Who will return and who will be gone? Some relative surprises. Bruce Miles has similar thoughts.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Can Jon Lester improve? What will they do with Jose Quintana? 5 questions about the Cubs rotation heading into 2020. “We need to add depth and some youth to the staff,” said Epstein.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs being ‘open-minded’ about trades doesn’t mean they’re itching to move Kris Bryant. “... the asking price is going to be astronomical, so it’s incredibly unlikely any team would be willing or able to meet it.” Jon Morosi begs to differ, offers Brett Taylor.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): What goes into the Cubs’ decision on Nicholas Castellanos’ future. “... it might be a tough fit for the Cubs given Kyle Schwarber’s hold on one of the corner outfield spots after a breakout campaign.”
• Dalton Barker (Crain’s Chicago Business*): Cubs TV ratings dip ahead of cable channel negotiations. “Chicago Cubs fans don’t seem interested in a return to the “lovable losers” era, if TV ratings are any indication.” Al will have more on this at 8:30 a.m. CT.
• Cubs birthdays: Bob Bowman, Dom Dallessandro, Dennis Eckersley (HoF), Matt Murton, Jen-Ho Tseng. Also notable: Fred Clarke (HoF), Dave Winfield (HoF).

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.