Chicago Cubs manager David Ross took the blame for the team's late-season collapse eventually, though it took some time. Ross is a former fan favorite as a player. Leading Chicago to the playoffs would have been one heck of a season, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be.
"We're in this together," Ross said, per The Athletic. "I wouldn't separate myself from any player, front office, coach. If we don't get to where we want to get to, I'm the head of the team. I'm the manager of this team. The blame should come on me first."
It's unclear if Chicago intends on keeping Ross at this point in time. If they do, he'll be under immense pressure from the front office to succeed next season, especially with the amount of money this ownership group invested in the roster in 2023.
If the Cubs do move on from Ross, there are plenty of obvious replacements out there. However, some who are familiar with the Chicago media landscape should be avoided at all costs.
Cubs David Ross replacements to avoid: Joe Maddon
This one is obvious, isn't it? Chicago and Joe Maddon moved on a long time ago, despite the veteran manager leading the Cubs to its 2016 World Series crown. The Cubs were a great story that year, but the aftermath was not pretty.
Maddon will manage again someday, but it's unlikely to come with a Cubs organization which understands just how much control Maddon wants with any franchise that hires him in the first place. Maddon himself isn't convinced that his next opportunity will come in the dugout. Instead, it could be the front office.
"I'm observing very closely," Maddon said, per The Athletic. "I'm watching the game and what's going on. … I believe that my skill set works with any group, in any decade of the game of baseball, and I'm very happy about that. So if I get the opportunity, I'm absolutely going to be into it. But to this point, none … and I think the reason why is because I am a little bit outspoken about all this."
Maddon is very opinionated, and while that would work wonders with most teams, the Cubs are headed in the right direction. They need a manager who can help take them to the next level. Maddon would be better served with a different franchise.
Cubs David Ross replacements to avoid: Gabe Kapler
The San Francisco Giants let Gabe Kapler go after another disappointing season, but he's sure to receive a job somewhere. While he's a decent fit on paper, the Cubs don't deserve a manager who couldn't make things work in a large market. Frankly, San Francisco used Kapler as a scapegoat. With the right resources, he could surely win.
It's no guarantee Kapler would receive those resources in Chicago, though, as they are likely to lose both Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman this offseason. If Ross is let go -- which is still a big if at this point -- they will be looking to their farm system and remaining roster to perform above its weight class.
Dansby Swanson, Justin Steele and more made for a nice nucleus to build around. Pete Crow-Armstrong and a strong arm system should help in terms of reinforcements by midseason as well. Kapler's experience should do him well elsewhere, but he struggles with bullpen management, which is an area the Cubs don't have a ton of depth. On paper, this isn't an ideal match.
Cubs David Ross replacements to avoid: Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi is a players manager, which is something many MLB teams could benefit from. However, this Chicago Cubs clubhouse could use a firm hand. Girardi is a former Cub himself, so he'd almost certainly be interested in any opening. The last time both the Cubs and White Sox needed managers, Girardi was in the running. However, he didn't get the job for a reason.
Girardi was let go by the Phillies midseason in 2022, which prompted their World Series run with Rob Thomson. He even made some recent comments about Ronald Acuña's record-setting stolen base which would make him a fan favorite among fans in the Windy City.
"I don't want to take anything away from Ronald Acuna, because I think he's clearly the MVP," Girardi said, per 670 The Score. "He's one of the best all-around players I've ever seen. But it was not a record. Yes, it is a record in the sense that no one has ever had 40 and 70. I get that. But it wasn't the stolen base record. I wouldn't have been happy about it, just because I want my pitcher to stay in rhythm and we're fighting for our (playoff) lives."
This tired take from Girardi proves the game has passed him by, to some extent. The Cubs going from one ex-catcher to another isn't the right call.
