It has become manager hiring week in MLB. On Sunday, the Detroit Tigers named Brad Ausmus their new manager. On Wednesday the Mariners hired Lloyd McClendon as their new skipper. Now, according to reports from various sources, and believed to be first reported by CBS’ John Heyman, it would appear that the Chicago Cubs are ready to announce their new manager, and it will be Padres bench coach, Rick Renteria.
Renteria recently received the endorsement of former Padre Jake Peavy when it was said that he interviewed for the job. “He’ll make an outstanding manager if the Cubs do go that way,” Peavy told CSNChicago.com’s Dan Hayes. “He brings a lot of intangibles. He knows the game, is gonna work hard, gonna get after it. He just holds guys accountable, but at the same time has a great relationship with the players. He gets the best out of guys and I’m pulling for him to get that job.”
Renteria was a journeyman utility infielder who played in parts of five MLB season in the late 80s and early 90s. He started managing in the Marlins system in 1998, and joined the Padres organization in 2003, working his way up from A-ball hitting coach to Triple-A manager to major league bench coach, a position he held with the Paders since 2011.
Renteria takes over for Dale Sveum, who finished 127-197 in two seasons for the rebuilding Cubs.
With Ausmus being hired by the Tigers, and the Red Sox refusing to allow Chicago permission to interview Torey Lovullo, Renteria was the last candidate standing in the Chicago manager search. The Red Sox were adamant at standing by their three-year no poaching agreement from when the Cubs hired Theo Epstein.
The 51-year-old Renteria becomes the 59th manager in Cubs history.
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