Chicago Cubs: How Joe Maddon impacts crucial free agency

The Chicago Cubs will be looking to make a big-time splash in the free agent market this offseason. Whether you like him or not, Joe Maddon‘s managerial style will have a major impact in determining whether or not the Cubs can land a marquee player.

As a fan of the Chicago Cubs, this has the feeling of a make-or-break offseason for a suddenly under-achieving squad. The Cubs took a step backwards in 2018, failing to win their division, along with getting outplayed in a disappointing Wild Card loss at home to the Colorado Rockies.

There are many reasons why the Cubs produced a lackluster season under manager Joe Maddon. Players regressed, the injury-bug crept up too often, in addition to head-scratching decision-making in close games by players and the coaching staff, leading to unexpected losses to bad teams like the Cincinnati Reds.

Heading into the final year of his contract as the Cubs’ manager, Maddon is under a large microscope now to win on the biggest stage. He must guide his team to another World Series Championship. Anything less might signal his departure from an organization that now prides itself in being a consistent championship contender.

Maddon can’t go to bat for his players during close-contests. He can’t strike out the side in the 9th inning of a one-run game to give his team the victory. What Maddon can do though is put his players in the best position during games to win.

More from Da Windy City

And more often than not in 2018, he failed to do this. And it could come back to haunt the organization now once players like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado contemplate where to sign with in the winter.

Failing to recognize his faults as a manager, Maddon is his own worst enemy, even if he stubbornly refuses to admit it. Shuffling the lineup each game like it’s a deck of cards has been a major problem since he began coaching the Cubs in 2015. Maybe it often went unnoticed in his first two seasons, but this is 2018. Two straight years of disappointing play, nothing goes unnoticed anymore.

Maddon still commands a ton of respect from the entire organization, as well as from his players. Under his guidance, the team has won 90-plus games in all four seasons he’s managed. That’s extremely impressive. A 2016 World Series trophy — truly as impressive as it gets. Following that up with two lackluster post-season finishes — that leaves a stain on that once squeaky-clean reputation.

Players enjoy going to bat and playing the field for Maddon because he’s a fun-loving, easy-going players’ coach. Win or lose, Maddon knows how to lighten up the mood in the clubhouse better than anyone out there. He stands up for his players when they are being criticized for their performance by the media.

He’ll even voluntarily pick a fight with an umpire if he feels one of his players has been cheated on a questionable call, knowing that he’ll probably get ejected mid-game. All to spark positive energy into his team no matter what the circumstance is.

While there is more good than bad when it comes to Maddon’s managerial style, earlier-than-expected playoff exits only heighten up the poorer qualities. Unfortunately in the sports world, timing matters more than people think. In 2016, the Cubs were being praised by everyone. They were at the top of their class. Now, while still a good team, they no longer stand out among the rest of their peers. And that matters in free agency.

Maddon is the ultimate gambler as a manager. He’ll take on risks throughout games more than any other coach. He’s like a mad scientist who is seemingly bored in his lab. Constantly tinkering with an experiment in order to come up multiple solutions that may work out well in the end but carry high risks — instead of just sticking with one plan that more times than not gets the job done, despite not being nearly as flashy.

Players in every sport want to be around a stable environment. Not one that’s constantly changing. Maddon brings forth a positive, but often times unstable environment around his team. Players don’t need to attend batting practice. They can show up to the ballpark whenever. It’s a loose, carefree environment that often times works well with everyone.

Yet, unfortunately, the players’ roles on the Cubs have constantly changed over the years, given all the quirky lineup changes and in-game substitutions made by Maddon on a daily basis. As a result, it’s become increasingly difficult for the players to understand what their established roles truly are within the organization.

Next. 3 takeaways from Cole Hamels deal. dark

No wonder the Cubs have experienced a regression in performance since winning the World Series. A player like Anthony Rizzo who is a power-hitter will bat leadoff for a few days, then move down to the third spot in the lineup despite having thrived in that previous role.

Javier Baez was terrific hitting third in the lineup all season long, only to find himself moved out of that spot by Maddon towards the end of the season to make room for a rusty Kris Bryant to return atop the order. Daniel Murphy found himself being replaced in the starting lineup a few times for Tommy La Stella, despite swinging a hot bat against the Brewers in early September.

A marquee free agent may end of signing with the Cubs this offseason when it’s all said and done. But, no doubt players will weigh all factors, both positive and negative, when considering the Cubs as a perennial destination. At the end of the day, Maddon’s past actions may have a much greater influence in this whole decision-making process than most people think.

Home/Chicago Cubs