5 potential replacements for Joe Maddon as Chicago Cubs manager

4. John Farrell

John Farrell has been out of managing since the Boston Red Sox fired him after the 2017 season. He has spent the last two season as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds, and he has also been working as an analyst for ESPN and FOX.

Before his two runs as a manager, first with the Toronto Blue Jays (2011-2012) and then the Red Sox (2013-2017), Farrell was successful as Boston’s pitching coach from 2007-2010. He overlapped with Theo Epstein in Boston during that time at Terry Francona’s side, so that tie could possibly bind if the Cubs wind up looking to replace Maddon.

That’s assuming, of course, that Farrell even wants to manage again. But let’s assume he does, as he took the opportunity to remain involved in the game on a fairly ground level within the Reds’ organization and will presumably keep that job if a managerial opportunity doesn’t come his way.

Cubs fans surely won’t love it if Farrell is hired to replace Maddon, since it will feel like a big step down. But that tie to Epstein gives Farrell a friend in a high place, and he’d presumably at least be in line for an interview if Maddon is gone.