The Chicago Cubs have changed managers. They have hired former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon who suddenly became available when he opted out of his contract with the Rays one week ago. 

Because the Cubs hired Maddon, they fired Rick Renteria who had two years remaining on his contract. The Cubs went 73-89 in Renteria’s only season at the helm of the Cubs. Renteria managed the Cubs to a last place finish, but stood only 15 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

The happiest guy about this hiring outside of Wrigley Field is Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. When Maddon opted out many (including myself) believed that he would follow his old boss Andrew Friedman to L.A. 

Maddon will be formally introduced in his new position on Monday.

I am curious if Maddon’s longtime bench coach Dave Martinez will join him on the North Side of Chicago or if he will manage the Rays in 2015. Martinez began his playing career with the Cubs. 

Because of the success Maddon had in St. Pete, expectations will be sky high. If Maddon could get the Rays into the World Series then why not the Cubs? But if the Cubs somehow do worse under Maddon than under Renteria then Theo Epstein might be the one getting his walking papers.