Cubs Manager Rumors: Mark Loretta, Will Venable Candidates Along with David Ross

The Chicago Cubs are looking for a new manager after parting ways with Joe Maddon, and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reported Tuesday the franchise has surfaced three internal candidates: David Ross, Mark Loretta and Will Venable. 

Ross, a 15-year MLB veteran who played for the Cubs from 2015 to 2016, currently works as a color commentator for ESPN MLB broadcasts. The 42-year-old was also the Cubs' special assistant to baseball operations in 2017.

Loretta, another 15-year MLB vet with Cubs ties, was Chicago's bench coach this season. The two-time All-Star also coached the Israeli national baseball team in 2012.

Venable has been the Cubs' first base coach for two seasons. He was a special assistant to Cubs president Theo Epstein for two-and-a-half months beforehand. The 36-year-old played from 2008 to 2016 with the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune also speculated on a few other names who could be in line for the Cubs' gig, including ex-New York Yankees skipper Joe Girardi, former Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis and nine-time All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran.

However, Ross seems like an early favorite for the gig, a sentiment made more obvious given statements both he and Epstein have made recently.

"Rossy is a very attractive candidate, and he’s going to be evaluated on the merits," Epstein told reporters on Monday, "for what he can bring to the table as a major-league manager, given his skills, given his experiences, given his worldview, given what he knows about winning, just like every other managerial candidate.

"We’re looking forward, we’re not looking backwards."

As noted by Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Ross campaigned for the gig during a recent Baseball Tonight broadcast.

"I think it’s one of the best jobs in baseball. I’ve got a lot of close ties with those guys. I think the interest would be there. I think my heart is drawn to that dugout a little bit."

Whoever takes over must figure out how to stop the downward spiral the Cubs have experienced since winning the 2016 World Series.

Chicago lost in the National League Championship Series in 2017 before falling in the NL Wild Card Game in 2018. The Cubs then missed the 2019 postseason entirely with an 84-78 record capped by a 2-10 finish.

Chicago opens the 2020 season on March 26 at the Milwaukee Brewers.