Chicago Cubs: Has Epstein tipped his hand about David Ross?

David Ross is thought to be the front-runner for the Chicago Cubs managerial position, but is Theo Epstein interested?

Well before the Chicago Cubs chose not to bring back manager Joe Maddon for next season, rumors were swirling about who the next manager would be. David Ross has long thought to be the logical replacement and recently even made it pretty clear he was interested.

It almost seemed like a fait accompli, simply waiting for the press conference announcing Maddon’s departure before inking Ross’ contract. Ross was beloved in the dugout when he was a part of the team’s 2016 World Series championship. He is also celebrated as a folk hero amongst fans for the role he played in ending the drought on the North Side. The idea that he would come in and ensure a seamless transition with the current roster seemed appealing. Ross could come in and hit the ground running with an established rapport with current players that management knows would resonate.

However, in Theo Epstein’s most recent press conference — in which he spoke for over an hour about the state of the Cubs — he made some interesting comments. Epstein was obviously asked about managerial candidates and of course, Ross’ name came up. Specifically, Epstein was asked about the value of having a manager who has played with some of the players before. Epstein pointed out the question was obviously about Ross and answered it head-on.

“David Ross has a lot of great things going for him,” but clarified his connections to the players or the 2016 team are not things that will distinguish him as a candidate. Rather he will be evaluated on the merits. That’s obviously the right answer and what you would expect him to say. But it was what he threw in at the end of his response that seemed curious.

Epstein continued, “we’re looking forward, we’re not looking backwards. I think in some ways there’s  been almost too much emphasis on 2016 and looking back.”

Coincidentally, this message was somewhat consistent with his comments at the beginning of the press conference in which he indicated “you are likely to see change in this organization.” Will that change include a clean break from the old regime and the aura of the 2016 squad? Epstein promised to evaluate candidates on the merits and “their worldview.”

There arguably isn’t a candidate they know more about than Ross. Heck, he’s still on the team’s payroll, so you can’t tell me with a straight face that they don’t already know all they need to about Ross. Only time will tell, but the longer it goes without Ross being named the manager, the more you have to wonder whether he is Epstein’s choice.