ST. LOUIS – His first choice was to keep the job he had with the Cubs. But Joe Maddon shouldn’t stay unemployed long.
At least six other teams could have managerial openings within days, including the division-rival Pirates, who fired Clint Hurdle on Sunday morning just after the Maddon news became official in St. Louis.
“I don’t want to wait. I’m ready,” said Maddon, 65, who hopes to manage another five years.
The Mets and Phillies jobs are expected to open, and either would seem a good fit, along with Pittsburgh, for the Pennsylvania native.
The Giants, Royals and Padres jobs all are open as well. And one report linked Maddon to the Angels, although that seems unlikely.
“My criteria involves going where somebody really wants you; that’s No. 1,” he said. “Wherever I go, I’m gonna believe we’re gonna win, so I’m not always concerned about that.”
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn on Friday shot down speculation the Sox might pursue Maddon to take over their rebuilding team from Rick Renteria -- the manager the Cubs fired to hire Maddon five years ago.
Maddon made $28 million during his five-year deal with the Cubs but may face a pay cut to take a job with one of those other teams.
“There’s going to be a bidding war for his services, and there should be,” team president Theo Epstein said during Sunday’s news conference announcing Maddon’s firing. “He’s in a great position, and I look forward to his next chapter in baseball and in life.”
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