Although general manager Jim Hendry says his search for a new Cubs manager will be an “extensive process,” it appears he has a very short list of candidates to replace Dusty Baker, whose contract wasn’t renewed Monday.
In fact, Hendry’s list could perhaps be broken down into the Big Three and the Possible Two, although he is likely to interview more candidates than that.
The Big Three are former managers: Lou Piniella, Bob Brenly and Joe Girardi, assuming he gets zapped Tuesday in Florida. Any of the three would be considered a “safe” hire because of their experience in the hot seat.
The Possible Two: The next generation of coaches who may be ready, Mets third-base coach Manny Acta and Braves third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez, both of whom are minorities. They are the unknowns because each may be the next genius or the next flop. Gonzalez could be hired by the Marlins as soon as Tuesday when Girardi gets the expected ax.
The Cubs’ opening figures to be a popular one, and Brenly definitely will throw his hat into the ring. Most likely ex-Cub Girardi will also.
And Piniella, a former manager for the Yankees, Reds, Mariners and Devil Rays?
“I don’t think it’s the appropriate time to be talking about it,” he said from his home in Florida.
“I just feel really odd speaking about my situation because of the respect I have for the people who hold those [managerial] posts. I don’t like to see anybody not get renewed.”
Would Piniella be interested in a managing job in 2007?
“I’ve said that [I would] in the past,” Piniella replied.
So would Brenly, a former manager for the Diamondbacks and now the Cubs’ color analyst for television.
“Yeah, I would be interested to at least go in and talk to Jim and see what the future holds for the organization, see what direction they’re going to go,” Brenly said. “Absolutely, I’m interested.”
Brenly, who also may be a candidate for the Giants’ vacancy, said any job he takes would have to be with a team on the rise.
“I would need to know what’s going to happen in the near future and in the more distant future,” he said.
“Personally, as bad as this [Cubs] season has been, I think with a couple of wise free-agent signings, maybe a couple of shrewd deals, and given the overall weakness of the division, I don’t think this team is that far away.”
Asked about San Francisco, where he played from 1981 to ’89 and coached under Baker from 1993 to ’95, Brenly replied:
“I would be interested in just about anything. I like to listen. Sometimes situations that present themselves are just what you’re looking for. It may not appear that way from the outside, but once you get in there and talk to people, things can change.”
Hendry would not tip his hand Monday on what characteristics the new manager would have except to list leadership.
But it would appear that with the Cubs trying to win now with veterans, with the emphasis placed on marketing/public relations by new interim President John McDonough and with the White Sox’s talkative manager already in place, Hendry would have a tough time hiring someone who hasn’t been through the wars.
However, Hendry stressed that “with my dealings in life, experience is not the most important criteria.”
So the decision will be whether the manager is hard or soft on discipline, young or old, experienced or an experiment.
And Hendry may be in competition with other teams–Washington, San Francisco and Florida–for the same group of candidates.
Whatever happens, the Cubs would like to have their manager in place by Nov. 6 when they begin organizational meetings, keeping in mind that the commissioner bans hirings during the World Series, which begins Oct. 21.
Here is a look at the possibilities:
Lou Piniella
The most experienced of those believed to be the leading candidates. He is an ultra high-profile person, much like Baker was, friendly with the media and popular with fans.
He has a reputation for never undermining his GM but is not nearly as patient when it comes to pitchers. Piniella, 63, presumably could have his pick of jobs and is said to be getting tired of waiting for Joe Torre to retire as Yankees manager.
Drawbacks: Piniella probably would like at least a three-year deal, which is one more than Hendry has. And he prides himself on being among the highest-paid managers while raising the pay scale of all. He is likely to demand as much or more than the $4.5 million Baker made this season.
Bob Brenly
He won a World Series with an expansion team in its fourth season–and in his first season as a manager. Of course, he had Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, not Kerry Wood and Mark Prior.
Admittedly a “hunch” manager, Brenly was a genius in 2001 but an idiot three years later when he was fired. Like Piniella, he would be a popular pick and gets along well with the media, having worked as a broadcaster for seven years.
He would come closest to being an in-house candidate, having broadcast Cubs games the last two years. And remember, he was hired for the booth by McDonough, who was in charge of marketing and broadcasting.
Joe Girardi
If Girardi gets fired after only one season in Florida, he will leave with the reputation of being defiant toward ownership and too rigid in his ways. Would he be the same if came home to a more comfortable environment at Wrigley Field?
His apprenticeship has been impeccable, nearly leading the ragtag Marlins into the playoffs and having served time as Torre’s bench coach in media-intensive New York. But he also is stern and sometimes short with the press.
He might be the most popular pick among Cubs fans, and that might make it hard for Hendry to bypass him. But Hendry would do it, knowing he has only two years himself to get things straightened out.
Manny Acta
Mets coach also was the manager of the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He will be a popular interview this winter, although teams may have to wait until the Mets are done with the playoffs.
Fredi Gonzalez
He has ties with Hendry but according to reports out of Miami will be offered the Marlins job Tuesday when Girardi is fired.
Also considered a strong candidate for the Washington job. He has extensive minor-league managerial experience, winning Baseball America’s manager of the year award three times, and may have the best shot of the inexperienced candidates.
More ex-managers
Former Angels, White Sox, Phillies and Blue Jays manager Jim Fregosi is known to be itching to return to the bench from his front-office job with the Braves. He could go to Washington.
Former White Sox manager Jerry Manuel, now the Mets bench coach, might be eager to get back in but may be too low-key for the high-profile Cubs job.
Former Royals manager Tony Pena is on Torre’s staff as first-base coach and is thought of highly. Effervescent and energetic, he still may be too much of a risk for a team that needs to win now.
Former Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon, an ex-Cub and native of Gary, is the bullpen coach on Jim Leyland’s staff in Detroit. But he did not improve the Pirates during his tenure there.
The others
Oakland third-base coach Ron Washington long has been mentioned as possible managerial material. So has Washington’s Triple-A manager Tim Foli.
White Sox third-base coach Joey Cora and Yankees coach Luis Sojo are getting pushes to be managers and could get some interviews this winter.
Two with local connections, Japanese manager and Chicago-area native Trey Hillman and Wisconsinite and former Cub Gary Varsho, could draw some interest but may have to serve more apprenticeship, especially when it comes to a job as closely inspected as the Cubs’.
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Who’s next?
Meet 10 potential replacements for Dusty Baker
THE BIG THREE
Bob Brenly
Cubs TV analyst
10-word rsum: Won 2001 World Series with Arizona. Says he’d manage again.
Joe Girardi
Manager, Florida Marlins
10-word rsum: Local hero. NU star. Won World Series as Yankee. Available?
Lou Piniella
Fox Sports baseball analyst
10-word rsum: Swept Series with Cincinnati. Seattle? Four playoff appearances. Tampa? Ouch.
HOT PROSPECTS
Manny Acta
Third-base coach, New York Mets
10-word rsum: Managed Licey to 2003 Caribbean Series. Managed Dominican in WBC.
Fredi Gonzalez
Third-base coach, Atlanta Braves
10-word rsum: Managed in Triple A. Endorsed by Bobby Cox. Marlins’ top choice?
LONG SHOTS
JOEY CORA
Third-base coach, White Sox
10-word rsum: Played 11 seasons, four with Sox. Has managed in minors.
JIM FREGOSI
Scout, Atlanta Braves
1,028-1,095 career as manager. Lost ’93 Series in Philadelphia.
JERRY MANUEL
Bench coach, New York Mets
.515 clip with Sox. Swept by Seattle in 2000 playoffs.
TONY PENA
First-base coach, New York Yankees
Managed Royals to 84-78 record in 2003 after 100-loss season.
RON WASHINGTON
Third-base coach, Oakland Athletics
Eleven years as base coach, 10 as infielder in majors.
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dvandyck@tribune.com
