If Cubs Hire Theo Epstein, First Order of Business Is Firing Mike Quade

I recently wrote that the Theo Epstein-to-the-Cubs negotiations have hit a snag. But when the deal is finally approved, the former Red Sox GM will certainly have his hands full.

Rebuilding the farm system and instituting an organizational philosophy would seem to be one of the top goals for Epstein once he's named the GM (and possibly President) of the Cubs.

Yet the first order of business is who is going to manage the team in 2011.

Mike Quade is signed through next year, but I cannot fathom that Tom Ricketts would hold Epstein to honoring that contract.

Assuming that's true, then Epstein has no choice but to fire Quade immediately.

Look, the Cubs manager is a good guy but he's proved that he is not managerial material.

Yes, he was not given a lot to work with, and that is not his fault. But the in-game decisions and the way he handled discipline provides ample evidence that Quade isn't the man.

Quade consistently stayed with starters too long and was only willing to discipline the young guys.

How many times did he reprimand Starlin Castro yet continue to put guys like Alfonso Soriano out there every day despite his refusal to take defense seriously and run out ground balls?

Plus, he continued to play veterans over young players in order to win the most games possible. Now, you may feel this is acceptable since it's natural for him to try and keep his job.

And while I agree with that partly, a confident manager would do what's best for the organization and play the kids once he knew his team was out of contention.

Meanwhile, I hope that Ricketts gets this done. And once he does, I expect the new GM to be looking for a new manager.