Cubs & Cards Situation Could Pressure Red Sox

With the recent news that Tony La Russa has retired from baseball, that now leaves three of the most storied franchises in baseball in search of a new manager.  The Cubs, Cards and Red Sox are all searching for someone who will come into the organizations and continue to win, learn to win and in Boston’s case straighten the club out and fly right.

But with La Russa’s announcement brings more than just another club looking for the best skipper possible.  It adds another threat to the Red Sox, potentially losing their targeted prize to one of the aforementioned clubs.

So far we’ve learned that Pete Mackanin and Dale Sveum will be interviewed for the Cubs position and we know the duo have already had their chance to woo the Red Sox brass.  It was released yesterday that Mike Maddux, the Texas Rangers pitching coach has been given permission to speak to both the Red Sox and Cubs.  Boston has also reached out to Sandy Alomar Jr. as an interview candidate, so the bag of options is getting full rather quickly. 

We know Theo Epstein is aggressive and he not only goes after the man he wants, he can be relentless in doing so.  The St. Louis Cardinals job is very appealing to many, after all you get a chance to manage the defending World Series champs, both a positive and negative.

So it appears we have an intricate web of manager roulette brewing right before our eyes.  The Cubs and Sox appear to be the two teams that could chase the same one or two managers with Maddux and Mackanin being the perceived front runners.  I personaly would like to see Maddux get the job in Boston, but you know he’s going to get a good look from Theo and the Cubs and most likely St. Louis as well.

The Red Sox better move swiftly and effectively if they want their man.  Ben Cherington stated they would do just that and Larry Lucchino went on record to say their managerial search was in the “fourth inning.”  They’re approaching the half-way point, meaning the club could have a new bench boss as early as Thanksgiving.

The pressure of the situation could be relieved a little by former Red Sox manager, Terry Francona.  It’s been reported that Francona will interview for the Cardinals job, so if he should go there it’s one less team out of the picture.

On the flip side to that, Epstein has said he’s not sure if Tito would be a good fit for the Cubs.  There goes that possibility.

The sooner Cherington and the owners can agree on the right man, get him signed and introduced, the sooner they can focus all their attention on the free agent market.  David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon won’t be around forever and if they want to resign the two all-stars, they better show them some love.  Sooner than later is always better and this case it holds true for both the free agents, but for the manager search as well. 

Have fun Mr. Cherington, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.

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