Mike Quade out as Cubs Manager, an Epstein/Francona Reunion in Chicago?

The recent shake-up in the windy city has been headlined by the splash of the Chicago Cubs in their front office, acquiring Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein and bringing in Padres GM Jed Hoyer along for the ride.

The Hoyer/Epstein tandem is wasting no time in making their mark in baseball's offseason as the Cubs organization decided to terminate Mike Quade as the team's manager.  

Quade's tenure as manager of the Cubs lasted one full season, along with some garbage time he inherited in the 2010 season when Lou Piniella resigned. Quade's Cubs finished a disappointing 71-91 in the 2011 season, leaving the Cubs faithful on standby for another season, in hopes of capturing a World Series crown.

Epstein cited his respect for Quade as a manager and a baseball mind, but ultimately stated he wanted to pick his own cast of characters to begin this season's quest for a World Series title. Epstein listed various attributes for his search to find the next manager of the Cubs.

Keeping in mind Theo's wish list for a manager, it's quite easy to gather that he is looking for somebody with proven success and credibility around Major League Baseball. Much to the dismay of Cubs fans, I'm sure, it probably rules out Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman, Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg's limited managerial experience doesn't extend outside of the minor league level.

Does this mean Epstein is orchestrating some sort of intricate plan to pull Terry Francona along with him from a Red Sox team that ended their season in monumental skepticism?

It's a possibility given their successful history in Boston. Epstein and Francona ended an 86-year drought in the city of Boston and delivered not one, but two World Series titles. They developed and maintained a close friendship that began in 2004 when the Red Sox reeled in Francona as their manager.

Let's retrace our steps a bit. Epstein's request for a "clean slate" is one factor that doesn't bode well for Francona to step in as manager of the Cubs. Mixing the success of the Red Sox with the future of the Cubs isn't what sounds to be piquing the interest of the new Cubs GM. 

If the Cubs could tempt Bobby Valentine out of the broadcast booth, he would seem to be a realistic selection for Epstein and the Cubs, given the respect he has commanded throughout his time as a manager in Major League Baseball.