Cubs will hire Rick Renteria as manager

The Cubs first task of the offseason was to find a manager. And after interviewing several candidates, they appear to have done so. Rick Renteria managed for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic this year, but has never managed in the majors. The former Padres bench coach will now take the reigns of the Cubs in their efforts to turn around their recent fortunes.

Renteria likely to be announced Thursday as Cubs manager.

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) November 6, 2013

Renteria speaks English and Spanish fluently, which was one of the reasons he was able draw serious interest from many teams around the league. After the former catcher market dried up, Renteria is said to have been a shoe-in in Chicago. The team had serious interest in Joe Girardi, though he re-upped with the Yankees quickly, and Brad Ausmus, who the Tigers hired as their manager a few days ago.

He has his work cut out for him as the Cubs have lost 90 or more games in each of the last three seasons. A wave of considerable talent is coming, but Renteria will have to make a good impression in the short-term to stick around long enough to see players like Javier Baez and Albert Amora reach the majors.

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