The hiring of Joe Maddon brings a "new era" to the club, according to many reporters.
Except, since Theo Epstein was hired, there was supposed to be a new "Cubs Way" in place. What that Cubs Way actually is, is vague.
We thought that Epstein was going to bring in sabermetric philosophies to the organization, but we know that all major league teams employ computer models, spreadsheets, computer models to prepare coaches and players for in-game decisions, strike zones and batter shifts.
We thought that Epstein had a history of evaluating and acquiring top talent. To date, the concentration on rebuilding the farm system has not given Epstein the blank check to spend on top tier free agents. The New Way was to operate like a small market team.
We thought that Epstein wrote a manual for players and coaches in the organization on how to develop and train the players at each level. We know that there were some rules, like a full 500 AB at Triple A, before a call up. We also were told that the new Cubs would stress quality at-bats, OBP. But last season, we saw a chorus line of free swinging, high strike out rate batters.
So what can a celebrity manager do to push the team to the promised land?
Objectively, probably not a whole lot.
The field manager's job is rather simple in baseball.
His first priority is to make out the daily line up card. This assumes that he can put each player into the best spot to succeed. This also assumes that the talent on the club fits the manager's personal philosophy on how to score runs. The Royals used a small ball mentality to create run scoring opportunities. Earl Weaver used to wait for the three run HR.
His second duty is to make sure his team is prepared to play. Baseball is a long season. Even though players are professionals, they still need to be prepared to play each game. This means in-season training on fundamentals, accountability and preparation. Some managers, like Dusty Baker, took a hands off approach and let each player do his own thing. Most managers rely upon their coaching staff to have one-on-one sessions with the players.
His most important in-game duty is to manage the pitching staff. In conjunction with his pitching and bench coaches, a manager who can economically use his rotation and bullpen efficiently is more likely to have success. The biggest fail for most managers is not managing starters properly. Since teams are now spending more money on pitching (and at high risk of injury), this is a key element that the front office is worried about each season.
At this point, we don't know if Maddon is going to manage any differently than Rick Renteria, Dale Sveum or Mike Quade, or other "name" managers like Dusty Baker or Lou Piniella. Maddon has a reputation for working well with young players (which is going to be the core of the Cubs teams for the next five years). But Chicago is a different media market from Tampa Bay. Fan expectations are much higher and intense. Media scrutiny is more glaring to an outsider. This new era may fold into the old eras.
What some long time Cubs fans heard at the Maddon press conference could be disturbing or odd. Maddon says that during a season, he wants to see less scouting. He wants to do less batting practice. His two rules are "hustle to first base" for batters, and pitchers working on their defense (fielding position and holding runners). He is not impressed with people first in and last out of the clubhouse. He does not expect to get to the ball park early, because he has a life outside baseball. He wants the players to have fun - - - it is a game. Don't let the pressure interfere with the experience of playing ball. He is a joker who wants a loose clubhouse.
That is fine and good, but in a locker room filled with rookies who need help achieving the final steps in their professional career, Maddon says just keep doing what got you to the bigs. But the majors is a lot different than the minors. Maddon will then rely on "an active coaching staff." Maddon thinks team meetings are worthless. He prefers one on one sessions with the coaches. One can think that Maddon is a "player's coach." The last Cubs "player coach" was Dusty Baker.
Jed Hoyer also remarked that the Cubs are not at 50% of their organizational plan. The front office will start to transition toward being competitive, but will not spend just to spend money. The message was clear to pull back real spending expectations from the rhetoric of Maddon, who thinks the team he saw for the first time will be a 2015 playoff contender. Of course a new hire will be optimistic about his new position and team. He called Wrigley Field "a magical place," but he has yet to see the new signage and the new fierce media attention.
