5 potential candidates to replace Joe Maddon as Cubs manager

1. Sam Fuld

Sam Fuld is a former Cubs outfielder who never quite found a place in their roster, and he ultimately spent 10 seasons in the league as a journeyman fourth outfielder. And while his career numbers won’t impress many, he was one of the first players to adopt analytics to his game.

Fuld was so entrenched in the idea of analytics in baseball he interned at sports data company after his first Minor League season. A Stanford alum, Fuld graduated with an economics degree which only fueled his thirst for data, scouring boxscores in the newspaper and even reading Moneyball during his time in the Minor Leagues.

Now currently working for the Phillies as their Player Information Coordinator under Gabe Kepler, helping communicate the data the analytics team in Philadelphia has uncovered in a more digestible way for players.

Here’s Fuld’s job description, which essentially outlines the current type of manager teams are craving:

"“Integrate the use of information in all areas of on-field performance and preparation and make recommendations regarding the most effective areas of future research and analysis.”"

Fuld is constantly working with the Phillies, who have gone all-in on analytics with Kepler as their manager. And while the Phillies didn’t have any more success than the Cubs in 2019, none of that has to do with Fuld, who’s been one of the more essential parts of organization this season.

And at only 37 years old and having only played just two seasons ago, Fuld’s ability to communicate with the Cubs players and their front office is something Theo Epstein likely wished he had more of from Joe Maddon over the years. Fuld is a complete swing in the opposite direction of a manager like Maddon, and that’s what makes him the most attractive candidate to the Cubs right now.