3 candidates to replace David Ross if Chicago Cubs fire him as manager

Apr 14, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross (3) leans on the batting cage prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross (3) leans on the batting cage prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Ross, Chicago Cubs
David Ross, Chicago Cubs (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

After going 14-13 to start the 2023 MLB season, the Chicago Cubs have sputtered in May. Is it time to start thinking about replacing manager David Ross?

Certainly the Cubs entered this season as a dark horse candidate to make a run at a postseason spot. While the rival St. Louis Cardinals were expected to run away with the division, their early struggles opened the door for the Cubs to hover near the top of the National League Central early in the campaign. However, the Cardinals have been on a tear lately, and their run back up the NL Central standings started at the expense of the Cubs in what became a feisty return to Wrigley Field for Willson Contreras.

While some of the moves the Cubs pulled off during the offseason have worked (Cody Bellinger), others have not (Eric Hosmer) and now it feels like Chicago needs some kind of boost on the north side to get the season back on track. Would bringing in a new manager be the right move?

Chicago Cubs: David Ross may not be on the hot seat just yet

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently highlighted some of the “in-game decision-making” from Ross in his discussion of which MLB managers currently sat on the hot seat. Rosenthal, however, doesn’t believe the seat Ross occupies is too hot, especially since he is signed through the 2024 campaign with an option for 2025. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has also been very supportive of Ross in the past, even when the team has struggled.

With all of that in mind, who could be a potential replacement for Ross if the Cubs decided to go a different direction? Let’s look at some options.