Odds to Manage Chicago Cubs in 2020: Mark Loretta Favored, Joe Maddon Given +225 Odds
By Hayley Graham in MLB Baseball
Updated: March 23, 2020 at 10:39 am EDTPublished:
- Current Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is not the favorite to be managing the team in 2020
- The Cubs are currently 82-75
- The Chicago Cubs won’t be making the playoffs for the first time since 2014
The 2018 Chicago Cubs blew a five-game lead in September, ended up losing the last game of the season to the Milwaukee Brewers to lose the NL Central, and a mere 24 hours later, lost the wild-card game to the Colorado Rockies.
This year’s Cubs once against collapsed in September much to the chagrin of the Wrigley Field faithful. These back-to-back unsuccessful seasons will lead the Cubs to make some changes, most likely starting with their manager.
Odds to Manage Chicago Cubs in 2020
| Manager | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mark Loretta | +140 |
| Joe Maddon | +225 |
| David Ross | +450 |
| Joe Girardi | +550 |
| Mark DeRosa | +750 |
| John Farrell | +1500 |
| Sandy Alomar Jr. | +1500 |
*Odds taken 9/25/19
Front Office Decisions
The Chicago Cubs front office has been watching a below average team play since May 31. The Cubs have played .500 baseball, going 51-51. On August 9th, the team had a 3.5 game lead over division rivals St. Louis Cardinals.
Cubs playoff odds are down to 2.2%.
Through Sept. 16, their last win, their playoff odds were 76.7%. pic.twitter.com/mJwr6ldkDp
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 23, 2019
The Chicago Cubs have the highest payroll in the National League and they missed the playoffs. The team has dropped six straight games, they currently face a four-game deficit for the second wild card spot, and there’s only five games to go.
This is a team that had everything going for them. The farm system has been successfully producing major league ready contributors at every position, including the pitching rotation. And Maddon as manager, the team seemed to be playing a fun, relaxed and winning style of baseball until this second half collapse.
Maddon’s Legacy
Joe Maddon’s five-year run in Chicago has been nothing short of phenomenal. Maddon is the only manager to lead the Cubs to four consecutive playoff berths. He is the first manager for the Cubs to win a World Series since 1908, when the team won in 2016.
https://twitter.com/Cubs_Live/status/1176142380199809024
The reality is, his time time in Chicago may be done, but his time is the show is far from over. If the Cubs let him go as expected, don’t be surprised when his next gig comes quick.
If it Ain’t Joe, Then Who?
Currently, Mark Loretta holds the best odds at +140 to be managing the Chicago Cubs, come spring training 2020.
Loretta’s is the current bench coach for the Cubs, having join the club just this past season, and he played 15 seasons in the big leagues. It’s almost expected that a team of the culture the Cubs have would promote one of their own in the case of a manager being fired.
ICYMI: Mark Loretta rumored to be possible replacement for Joe Maddon: https://t.co/bkrUIYa7BX pic.twitter.com/DUh8yxFKB8
— CubsHQ.com (@ChicagoCubsHQ) September 24, 2019
Loretta was recently handed a one-game suspension after ‘inappropriate conduct’ following a replay review. Does this situation late in the season change anything for his chances to become manager? Doesn’t seem like it.
The Cubs, despite his slim big league coaching resume, seem to think Loretta would be a good fit for the position, and well respected.
Another name who’s odds aren’t bad, but are behind Joe Maddon, is David Ross. Ross’s current odds are +450, and the former Cub himself seems to be a fan favorite for the job.
It’s a #Cubs frustration-driven #MondayFunDayPoll this morning.
Who will be the Chicago Cubs Manager for the 2020 season?
— Bryan Tweed (@BryanTweed16) September 23, 2019
Who’s The Best Bet?
Mark Loretta seems to be the best fit for the role right now. He’s already in the organization, and would actually be the third Cubs bench coach to be promoted to a managerial position. He would join Dave Martinez of the Nationals and Brandon Hyde of the Orioles.
Pick: Mark Loretta +140
Sports Writer
A graduate of Sport Media at Ryerson University, Hayley is the ultimate student of sports. Whether she is playing it, watching it, debating it, or writing it, it's safe to assume sport consumes the majority of her life. She has worked both internationally and with the NBA.
