Minnesota Twins Front Office Looking at Cubs Executives
Though the search is in its beginning phases, the Minnesota Twins are looking at the Chicago Cubs brass to fill its general manager spot.
Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that the Minnesota Twins were on the hunt for a new general manager and have looked to the Chicago Cubs front office. The Twins have shown interest in Jason McLeod and Shiraz Rehman, according to Wittenmeyer.
Back in July, the last-place Twins removed Terry Ryan from the general manager position, a post he held since 2011. He had served the team as general manager from 1994 to 2007, but stepped down and filled a consultant role between 2007 and 2011. Since Ryan’s firing, former assistant general manager Rob Antony has been serving as an interim GM.
At the time of Ryan’s firing, the club was on pace to lose 100 games this season, according to the Chicago Tribune. As of September 8, the Minnesota Twins have lost 88 games. With twenty games left in their season, a 100-loss season is still a reality.
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It is then no surprise why the Twins front office has looked to the Cubs’ executive brass. Chicago currently boasts the best record in all of baseball, has their division title practically wrapped up, and are heavy favorites to secure the World Series championship – their first in over 100 years. However, both McLeod and Rehman have expressed a desire to stay with Chicago.
McLeod, the senior vice president of player development and scouting, has turned down previous GM opportunities, notably with the San Diego Padres. “I really want to be here (Chicago) when we win,” he stated in 2014, according to ESPN. Likewise, Rehman told CSN Chicago that his attention is on bringing a World Series title to Wrigleyville: “I’m really happy and focused on what we’re doing here.”
Darren Wolfson of ESPN reports it is unlikely there will be any personnel changes before the end of the season. Though a front office shakeup for both the Twins and Cubs could be likely as early as November. There has not been an outright denial from either McLeod or Rehman on a possible move. Timing is obviously a factor in wanting to stay in Chicago.
Next: Can the D-Backs Turn It Around Next Season?
The Minnesota Twins will finish 2016 with a losing record, their fifth losing season in six years. They have not made a playoff appearance since 2010.
There is a strong desire to return to the postseason, especially after the club finished second in the AL Central in 2015. If a turnaround is what the Twins are hoping for, then there is no better club to poach from than the Cubs.