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Whether you agree with the assumption or not, almost everyone in MLB is operating under the thought that Joe Maddon won’t return as Cubs manager in 2020. His contract is up and almost everything points to the Cubs saying, “thanks for the success, but we’re moving in a different direction.”
There’s no doubt that the Cubs have been on a steady decline since winning the World Series in 2016, culminating in this era’s most frustrating season. Yet, Maddon’s track record will certainly draw interest from several teams and one is already thinking about firing their current manager and replace the vacant spot with Maddon.
That team being the Angels.
Via Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic.
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According to major-league sources, the Angels would consider moving on from Brad Ausmus, 50, and bringing back Maddon, 65. Maddon spent 31 years in the Angels’ organization, the first 19 as a minor-league catcher, scout, manager and hitting instructor, the final 12 as a major-league coach and two-time interim manager.
Ausmus, who was hired by the Angels last offseason, still has two more years left on his contract.
Since winning the 2002 World Series, the Angels have only reached the ALCS twice (2005, 2009) and they haven’t been to the postseason since 2014, when they were swept by the Royals in the ALDS. That includes not winning a single playoff game during Mike Trout’s career.
So, if the Cubs do part ways with Maddon after this season, expect more teams to become interested in hiring him.
