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Theo Epstein says that he doesn't want to recreate ?The Boston Show.?
Reading between the lines in Chicago, that was probably more telling than anything else Epstein said about how Terry Francona would be at the top of anyone?s list.
Epstein admits that he has run only one other search for a manager. But Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer clearly have confidence in the process that identified two finalists who were not obvious future stars almost eight years ago.
There is the sense that the Cubs are looking for the next Francona or the next Joe Maddon. Casting calls will continue on Monday at Wrigley Field, where Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum will audition, followed by Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux later in the week.
Sveum has built-in relationships with Epstein and Hoyer. He was part of Francona?s staff when the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. Beyond those curse-busting credentials, he has a broad base of experience.
After lasting 12 seasons in the big leagues, Sveum managed Pittsburgh?s Double-A affiliate from 2001-03. He then became Francona?s third-base coach and felt the heat from Boston fans and media for his aggressive decisions to wave in runners.
Sveum understands big-city pressures and has been described as someone who?s embraced statistical analysis. It says something about his value and personality that he worked for three different managers in Milwaukee (as third-base, bench and hitting coach).
Sveum was the interim manager when the Brewers made a playoff run in 2008. He will turn 48 later this month, an age where he can grow into the job, an idea Epstein has suggested for the next leader.
As much as the Cubs have tried to copy the Red Sox model, chairman Tom Ricketts also studied the Brewers before hiring Epstein, the way they?ve been able to produce homegrown impact players and have success in a small market.
MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac knows the history and expectations surrounding the Cubs. He played with Sveum and thinks his former teammate would be a logical fit on the North Side.
?He knows the National League Central,? Plesac said on ?Chicago Tribune Live? last week. ?He?s been with a younger group of guys. You go back to the magical run with CC Sabathia. He inherited that team right before the postseason and there were a lot of people in Milwaukee that were really disappointed that he didn?t get that job.?
Sources have indicated that bench coaches Sandy Alomar Jr. (Indians), DeMarlo Hale (Red Sox) and Dave Martinez (Rays) figure to be involved in the search, though the Cubs haven?t confirmed exactly when the next round of interviews will take place.
Sveum has already interviewed in Boston, just like Philadelphia?s 60-year-old bench coach Pete Mackanin, the first candidate to come to Wrigley Field last week. Maddux will reportedly interview on Tuesday in Boston.
There?s a growing acceptance of pitching coaches becoming managers. Hoyer developed a good relationship with Bud Black in San Diego. John Farrell ? Boston?s former pitching coach ? got good reviews during his first season in Toronto and could have been Francona?s logical replacement if he weren?t under contract.
Epstein views keeping pitchers healthy ? and having them perform at a higher level ? as the next frontier. Those questions have vexed the entire industry. The Cubs are staring at a huge void in their rotation, and pitching figures to be their biggest need this winter.
In Texas, Maddux and Nolan Ryan pushed their pitching staff. They weren?t afraid to increase workloads and change the culture in a ballpark that was known for offensive fireworks.
Maddux helped guide the Rangers to the World Series twice in the past two years. He would be an intriguing choice even if he didn?t have famous bloodlines. His brother Greg had been a special assistant to Jim Hendry. The future Hall of Famer recently spoke with Epstein.
Even with Hendry gone, these two ideas still remain true: Greg could have almost any job he wants in baseball, but family concerns could prevent him from taking on a full-time role right now.
?(Greg) certainly appreciated knowing that he was welcome,? Epstein said last week. ?I?m sure it will work out in some form or another down the road. We agreed to stay in touch.?
Epstein doesn?t seem to want to be the star of this show, even though that?s what everyone?s hyped him up to be. Hoyer is supposed to be the day-to-day voice.
The manager will be the face of the narrative, responsible for some 400 media sessions each year. That?s why each candidate will be made available to reporters as part of the interview. In the coming days, look for that image to come sharply into focus.
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