Chicago Cubs: Joe Maddon isn’t the problem
The Chicago Cubs haven’t quite gotten off to the start they had hoped for. At 19-15, they’re still fourth in their division. However, management is the last thing the Cubs and fans should blame.
Before you stop me: Yes, it is being whispered. From Chicago sports radio to the Budweiser Bleachers, whispers of Joe Maddon’s responsibility in the 2018 Chicago Cubs and their shortcomings have been rather dramatic.
Sure, he isn’t perfect. If Game 7 in 2016 had ended differently, you could make a strong case that he’d already been out of Chicago. But those critics are likely forgetting what the most important job of being a manager is.
Creating an environment for success
Managers in MLB are like bosses at work. Let’s say you have a job you enjoy, you’re good at and that your biggest goal is for you and your colleagues to succeed and for your company to be the best in the business.
Then say a new boss comes along, and he wants to change the way everything is done. All of a sudden, all of those things that made you great at your job are being rejected to do things the boss’ way.
Joe Maddon is the opposite of that. He’s a passive manager. He trusts his staff and roster to do the right things, so he avoids interference when it’s unnecessary. Additionally, he puts a high value on the camaraderie that is being a part of a team.
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He facilitates that camaraderie with things like themed road trips and small events before games at Wrigley Field. He’s constantly praised by his players for the relaxed clubhouse vibe he’s created.
When players are comfortable, they play better. Joe Maddon’s clubhouse is perhaps the most relaxed in baseball.
The true value of formal managerial duties
The truth is that managers aren’t worth very much. There’s a reason Joe Maddon was paid $2 million less than a bench player in Jon Jay in 2017.
Creating the daily lineup is arguably one of the manager’s most important duties. However, Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan told the Berstein and McKnight show on Wednesday that throughout 162 games, the order of the lineup is worth maybe two wins. To emphasize his point, he added, “and that’s if you’re batting the pitcher first.”
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At the end of the day, a manager’s clubhouse duties are more valuable than their on-the-field duties. So even if Joe Maddon were struggling with his on-the-field duties—which he isn’t—it’d be hard for the Chicago Cubs to part ways with him.