With a year left on his contract, Dale Sveum has been dismissed as manager of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs went 61-101 and 66-96 during Sveum’s two seasons as skipper. 

Speculation is already abounding about Sveum’s successor. This speculation is revolving around New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi whose contract expires at the end of next month. For his part, Girardi has indicated he is unsure if he will return to manage the Yankees next seaon. The Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 which was Girardi’s inaugural season managing the club. The Bronx Bombers are at a crossroads with the retirement of Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte, Robinson Cano possibly leaving through free agency and whether Derek Jeter can play a full season again. But does Girardi want to leave the most storied franchise in MLB history to manage a perennial doormat?

Girardi is a native of Chicago and played two stints with the Cubs (1989-1992, 2000-2002). Despite playing on three World Series winning teams and managing the Yankees to a World Series title, Girardi is as strongly identified as a Cub as he is a Yankee. 

I would like to think Girardi would be eager to accept the challenge of leading the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908. If Girardi could do that then he will have punched his ticket to Cooperstown. But will Girardi return to Wrigley? Will Theo Epstein make him an offer he can’t refuse? Jason Catania of The Bleacher Report thinks Girardi should go for it. I second this motion.