Chicago Cubs: Power Ranking the Current Managerial Candidates

It has been two weeks since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer fired manager Mike Quade, but both men have yet to decide on who will be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs.

This is partly due to the Boston Red Sox, who are interviewing a few of the same guys that the Cubs are looking at. With the winter meetings around the corner, both teams are likely looking to make a decision soon so that they could get onto the next task in their offseasons.

The Cubs have interviewed and taken into consideration many great candidates, and it will be hard to decide on which suits the club best.

The Cubs' interview process is still going on, but these are the power rankings from what we have seen so far.

6. Pete Mackanin

The Philadelphia Phillies' bench coach Pete Mackanin looked to be an early favorite considering the success that the Phillies have had over the last few years, but following his interview it seems as if his name has fallen out of the race.

Mackanin is one of those guys who is likely going to get a shot someday, but it seems like his hat has been taken out of this race. Perhaps he will make a surprise run, but it is doubtful that he could surpass more than one candidate.

The Boston Red Sox may decide on looking elsewhere as well, so Mackanin may be best to settle on a bench role once again for 2012.

5. Terry Francona

Although Terry Francona has yet to get a formal interview with the Chicago Cubs, he is a candidate that can never be eliminated considering what he accomplished with Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox.

Francona was recently passed over for the St. Louis Cardinals job, and it seems like the Cubs' opening would be his last opportunity to return to the dugout this coming season.

Francona has stated that he would love to manage the Cubs, and who knows if there have been any real conversations on the matter between Francona and Epstein.

Considering Francona says he will not be managing in 2012, I am sure if Epstein decided he needed Francona, he wouldn't hesitate to take the job.

If the Cubs decided to go with Francona, they would at least be hiring the most qualified candidate.

4. DeMarlo Hale

The Boston Red Sox's bench coach DeMarlo Hale recently conducted a phone interview with Cubs' general manager Jed Hoyer. Although Hale did not conduct the thorough interview process, he cannot be eliminated considering that Theo Epstein and Hoyer already are aware of him.

Hale could be a guy who sneaks into the picture, or he could just turn out to be a guy who got an interview out of respect. It will just have to be seen how things turn out over the next few days.

Whoever takes over the Red Sox managerial role may be looking to revamp their coaching staff, so perhaps the interview was also in consideration of Hale coming to the North Side in a similar role that he is currently occupying.

This is one of those situations that should be watched closely over the coming weeks.

3. Sandy Alomar Jr.

Sandy Alomar Jr. has been targeted by both the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, but he seems more likely for the Cubs.

Could the Cleveland Indians potential bench coach be the guy?

In the end, Alomar Jr. may be the odd man out, but he does present a good chance being on the short list to make the job for either team.

The Cubs likely see Alomar Jr. as their No. 2 option if the Red Sox pull the trigger on Dale Sveum, and it perhaps would turn out to be just as good of a pick. Alomar stood out as perhaps an early favorite in this process, but he seems to have taken a backseat following the interviews with the other candidates.

2. Dale Sveum

The Milwaukee Brewers current hitting coach is being heavily interviewed by both the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. This coming week, he will be conducting a second round of interviews with both teams.

If the Red Sox decide he is their guy, it would be hard to imagine him turning down the job considering he was with the Red Sox for two years. One of those years was when the Red Sox won their 2004 World Series title.

The Cubs do like Sveum, and he is due to finally take over a team after briefly taking control of the Brewers back in 2008. By the end of the week, we will have a better idea of where Sveum is intending on going.

1. Mike Maddux

Likely the favorite target to take over the Chicago Cubs in 2012, Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux could be that guy as early as this week.

Maddux spurned an interview with the Boston Red Sox due to their location and his desire to be near his family. In the meantime he still took an interview for the Cubs position.

Maddux is a very attractive option for the Cubs, as he is a pitching guru and could really help the Cubs develop their starting rotation and bullpen. With his help, recently acquired ace Matt Garza could potentially reach the status of an actual ace.

In his interview, he seemed like a guy that would fit in well with the Cubs, and it would be no surprise if the Cubs ended up going with Maddux.

The bigger question is if Maddux will see Chicago as an OK location in consideration of his family.

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:

Mike Maddux Could Revitalize Zambrano

Tito Wants to Manage the Cubs, What Gives?

Managers Should Want the North Side Over Beantown

Epstein and Francona are Talking, Could it Happen?

Could the Maddux Brothers Work in Chi-Town?