Chicago Cubs: Should Cubs consider Joe Girardi?
By Usayd Koshul
As the Chicago Cubs begin their search for a new manager, Joe Girardi is a name to consider for the Northsiders.
Now that the Chicago Cubs are in the market for a new manager, there’s no knowing what direction the front office will go. The Cubs cannot hire just any manager, they need to find the best candidate possible, someone who can surpass what Joe Maddon did and fix what Maddon couldn’t.
One name to keep an eye on is ex-New York Yankees and Miami Marlins manager Joe Girardi, who seems like a perfect fit for the Cubs. On Wednesday, Girardi indicated that he’s looking to get back into being the manager of any MLB team.
However, one thing needs to be understood here: Girardi is merely indicating that he wants to get back into managing. There’s no telling whether or not the Cubs are genuinely interested in bringing him in for an interview.
There’s also a chance that the Cubs have some competition for his services, especially in the National League where at least four other teams could make a strong case for courting Girardi. This means that the Cubs will need to move fast if they are to bring him in.
However, as good as Girardi appears to be, it’s worth noting that he’s won just 100 or more games one time since becoming a manager back in 2006. Other than that, his average winning percentage is .554 and his overall record as a manager is 988 wins and 794 losses.
A guy that’s spent 11 years being an MLB manager, it’s clear that Girardi being the Cubs next manager makes sense for multiple reasons. First, he’s been out of baseball since 2017 but clearly has everything it takes to be the guy that can help get the Cubs back on track.
Second, Girardi could end up being the best guy available for the job if the Cubs decide not to hire a guy like David Ross. He’s been in the MLB both as a player and a manager and knows how to effectively manage teams.
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If there’s one thing to expect about the 2020 Chicago Cubs, it’s to expect the unexpected. The winds of change are sweeping through the Northside this offseason and if the Cubs hire Girardi it will signal a new era in Cubs history. Not only will Girardi be tasked with fixing what Joe Maddon couldn’t in 2019, he’ll need to make the most with what he has, especially with a roster that could undergo significant changes this winter.