Cubs rumors: Will Chicago Cubs extend David Ross?

The Chicago Cubs are expected to extend the contract of current manager David Ross, which is slated for three years and would end in 2022.

Oct. 3 marked a dismal end for the 2021 Chicago Cubs, but it looks like they’ll be sticking with manager David Ross for the foreseeable future.

Ross told NBC Sports Chicago’s Gordon Wittenmeyer that he and Cubs president Jed Hoyer were in “preliminary talks” to extend his three-year contract with the team. Ross, who joined the team as manager in 2019, is contracted through ’22 with an option for ’23.

“Honestly, the last thing on my brain right now is myself,” Ross said before Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. “That would be a little bit selfish on my part. I’m focused on the health and well-being of some players and coaches and all the group that’s here and trying to set us up to win this ballgame. If I’m meant to get extended, I’ll get extended.”

Chicago Cubs likely to extend manager David Ross beyond 2022

Hoyer is expected to wrap up the extension quickly so that Ross can focus on the task at hand: rebuilding the Cubs into a competitive playoff-contending team.

“I think he’s been fantastic, and I love working with him,” Hoyer said in late September. “It’s obviously been a trying year for a lot of reasons, and I think he’s done a really wonderful job these last two months of keeping these guys playing hard. And I think that’s a testament to him and the respect they have for him.”

The Cubs were successful in their playoff aspirations in Ross’ first year, finishing with a shortened 34-26 record before being eliminated by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the 2020 playoffs. Midway through the season, the Cubs boasted a 38-27 record before the team fell apart, eventually resulting in the 69-91 record finalized on Oct. 3.

However, it’s been difficult to determine how much of the blame should be attributed to Ross. If Cubs management’s support is any indication, Ross should be able to turn this team around in an 2021 offseason in free agency.