Chicago Cubs: Why Managers Should Favor the Cubs Position over the Red Sox's

As things get underway with the Chicago Cubs' managerial search, new President Theo Epstein is going to have to lure many managers away from his former club the Boston Red Sox. Both teams are in search of a new manager, and both are looking at many of the same candidates.

Guys like Sandy Alomar Jr., Dale Sveum and Pete Mackanin are going to be pursued by both teams. None have stated which they favor, so the ball is still in the Cubs' court to try and convince them on why Chicago is the place to be.

It is going to take a lot to convince a manager to choose a losing team over a winning one, but if anyone can do it, it would be Epstein. 

The Cubs' decision process is only getting started, but here are reasons on why Epstein and Jed Hoyer could make a manager choose the North Side over Beantown.

Manage the Next Big Thing

While the Chicago Cubs managed to keep struggling last season, the play of young shortstop Starlin Castro kept hopes alive. Those hopes were not for a winning season in 2011, but rather a winning future.

Castro has the tools to be one of the greats, but it will take a great manager to get him to that level.

Any manager who is taking on the role of Cubs manager will be in position to be that guy who made Castro a star. He will be what Joe Torre is to Derek Jeter or what Tony La Russa is to Albert Pujols. Whoever steps into this role will be in position to groom a superstar.

Low Expecations

The good thing about the Chicago Cubs is that if you fail, it is expected. If you succeed, you are a savior.

With the Boston Red Sox, success has become an expectation, and it should be. The thing is, though, after missing the postseason two years in a row, the Red Sox pretty much cleaned house. There is a very short leash for how much you can fail in Boston, whereas with Chicago you will not be torn up after a bad season (except Mike Quade, but everyone in Chicago knew he wasn't the answer).

With so many bad players on the roster, and such low expectations following this season, although the Theo Epstein signing has managed to raise them, any manager who comes into the North Side will be praised for any improvement.

Theo Epstein

Anybody in baseball is aware of the Chicago Cubs' new president Theo Epstein's resume, and that alone will be enticing for them to make the move to Chicago.

Epstein took a Boston Red Sox team that had not won a World Series since 1918, and in turn won two over eight seasons. He has the track record, and he is going to be willing to give any manager a shot. Terry Francona was a nobody before coming to the Red Sox, and in turn he became known as one the best current managers in the game.

Was it Francona's managing skills or the team that Epstein built around him? Most would go with the latter, and that is probably the right answer. Epstein has proven that he can build a winning program, as he oversaw the Red Sox for nine winning seasons.

By the way, Epstein was there for only nine seasons.

Once in a Lifetime Chance

It is no secret that the Chicago Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908, so whatever manager finally brings that title to the North Side will be legendary.

Being the first manager to bring a championship to the North Side since 1908 is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Once it happens, no one can ever come into the position with so much potential in being remembered as the one who did it.

The Boston Red Sox have won two championships over the last eight years. Whoever does it there will be greatly appreciated, but they will also just be another manager. Terry Francona will always be known as the guy who ended that drought.

There is no guarantee that the next Cubs manager will break the curse, but the potential of being that guy is something that all managers should want to be known for.

Jeff Chase is from Chicago and is an undergrad at Arizona State University. He currently is interning with B/R and is in process of becoming a Featured Columnist for Arizona State football.

More Cubs Articles by Jeff Chase:

Epstein and Francona are Talking, Could it Happen?

Could the Maddux Brothers Work in Chi-Town?

Epstein Must Sign Francona Now

Cubs Must Bring Ramirez Back

Evaluating the Cubs' First Base Options