Breaking News: Sveum Named Cubs Manager

A busy offseason for the Chicago Cubs continued today with the announcement of a new manager. Dale Sveum has become the 52nd manager of the team, signing a three year contract with an option for 2015. Sveum (pronounced Swaim) will be introduced by Jed Hoyer and Theo Esptein at a press conference tomorrow morning at 9:00.

Sveum was a big league infielder for seven different teams from 1986 to 1999, spending the 1992 season in Chicago playing for the White Sox. He coached on the Boston Red Sox staff during 2004 and 2005 seasons before spending 2006 to 2011 with the Brewers. His only big league managerial experience was in September of 2008 when he was named the interim manager for the final two weeks of the season after the firing of Ned Yost. Sveum served as a third base coach, bench coach and hitting coach during his time as a coach.

That's it for now, but we'll have much more on the Cubs new skipper.

Updating the Cubs Managerial Search

According to those of you who voted on our recent poll, Cubs fans are excited about welcoming Theo Epstein as the President of Baseball Operations. (Thanks to everyone who voted on the poll, by the way.) Epstein's first order of business as the Cubs President is to name a new manager... which leads us to our new poll question- who is the best Cubs managerial candidate? Four options of guys that are in the mix are listed on the right sidebar, please vote.

Now let's catch you up on the latest regarding the search for the next skipper.

• Mike Maddux interviewed with Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod and Randy Bush. According to all report, the interview went very well and Maddux could even be the leader to land the gig.


• Maddux did not rule out the idea of his younger brother Greg joining his staff if he is hired by the Cubs.


• Mike withdrew his name from the Red Sox managerial search last week.


• Dale Sveum also interviewed for the job this week. He told the media that it does not sound as if Epstein and the Cubs plan to enter a rebuilding phase.


• Ken Rosenthal reports that Sveum is going to get a second interview with the Red Sox, but he is high on the Cubs list as well.


• Pete Mackanin, who was the first to interview, is still be considered as well.


• Sandy Alomar Jr. is the final known candidate for the job. The Cubs brass has indicated that the first round of interviews could be complete, but it has not closed the door on adding another candidate or two to the mix. Alomar's interview reportedly went very well.


• Some think that an announcement of the new manager could come as early as this week.


• The Cardinals have named Mike Matheny their new manager.


• According to multiple sources, Terry Francona will not be considered for the Cubs job.

It is a busy time for the Cubs management with the General Managers' Meetings starting this week in Milwaukee. Both Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will represent the Cubs.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!

Let the Interviews Begin

With the firing of Mike Quade on Wednesday, the Cubs have wasted no time begging the interview process to find the best candidate to become the next manager of the Chicago Cubs.

Pete Mackanin was the first formal interview for the position. He chatted with Theo Epstein and company on Friday. Mackanin told the media that Theo nailed him with question after question. The interview included watching game film and asking Mackannin what he would do in certain situations. Mackanin is the current Phillies bench coach. He grew up in the Chicagoland area cheering for both the Cubs and White Sox.

Dale Sveum, who is the Brewers hitting coach, will go through the interview process on Monday, followed by Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux sometime next week. Other names floating around include Sandy Alomar Jr., DeMarlo Hale, Terry Francona and Joe Maddon. According to David Kaplan, Alomar, the Indians' bench coach, will interview next week as well.

The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals are also hunting for a new manager. All three teams are interviewing a similar list of candidates.

The other bit of news this week was the Cubs decision to hire Joe Bohringer as Pro Scouting Director. Bohringer as 21 years of scouting experience under his belt and had been in the Arizona D'backs organization since 2006.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!