Cubs Rumors: Joe Maddon Expected to Return for 5th Season Despite Wild Card Loss

Despite a disappointing end to their 2018 season, the Chicago Cubs are expected to bring back manager Joe Maddon.

Per ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers, sources said Maddon will likely return for his fifth season with the Cubs in 2019. 

Speculation about Maddon's standing with the Cubs has been an ongoing topic during the season's second half. 

USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote in August that Maddon's "fate is tenuous" if the Cubs missed the playoffs or were eliminated early. 

The Cubs started September on their way to earning home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. They had a five game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sept. 2, but they went 14-13 in their final 27 games and lost the NL Central tiebreaker to Milwaukee on Monday. 

The Colorado Rockies eliminated the Cubs from the postseason with a 2-1 victory in 13 innings in Tuesday's NL Wild Card Game. 

Maddon signed a five-year contract with the Cubs in November 2014. The 64-year-old has one year remaining on his deal. He has a 387-261 record in Chicago, leading the franchise to four straight playoff appearances and the 2016 World Series title.