Cubbies may have a new manager!?!?

[fishyguy]

Lou Piniella was expected to be introduced Tuesday as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs, a baseball source told The Associated Press on Monday.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal has confirmed that Piniella will receive a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year. That means Piniella will be under contract through 2009, or one year longer than current Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

The hiring could also fuel speculation that the Cubs may try to acquire Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Piniella was previously A-Rod's manager in Seattle.

Piniella led the 1990 Cincinnati Reds to the World Series championship and replaces Dusty Baker, who was not brought back after a 66-96 season that ended a four-year contract.

Piniella spent last season in the Fox broadcast booth and has 19 years of managerial experience with four different teams - Tampa Bay, Seattle, the New York Yankees and the Reds. Several teams had sought to hire him for next season.

Known for his fiery style, the Cubs hope Piniella can revitalize a team that has not reached the World Series since 1945.

Joe Girardi, fired by the Florida Marlins after one season and a former Cubs player, also interviewed for the job.

A Cubs spokeswoman declined comment Monday. Piniella's agent Alan Nero and Hendry were not immediately reachable for comment.

[IFallsRon]

Good luck, Lou. Too bad the goat got to Chicago first.

[genegodawa]

Haven't had such an entertaining mgr since Lee Elia...if only he could still hit.

[Spinner1]

Lou will squeeze a bunch more potential out of the Cubs. I don't think they could possibly hire anyone more different than Dusty. Dump about $30 million worth of dead weight has been pitchers and you're back in this thing Geno.

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

Hey Geno,

I think Lou could probably hit better than half the current Cubbies, LOL. Don Kessinger did it, Lou Can Too!

Windy

[genegodawa]

Yeah Windy, real funny, but possibly true. Maybe he should have been called out of the booth to hit for Uribe? God knows he could have outhit .235 for sure.

Oh yes Spinner, we need lots of pitching just like everybody else. I mean, just look at the decimated WSox staff, and the current NL playoff teams.

But the current rumour is Zambrano for A-Rod.....I hope not.

[CNY Tim]

Geno - Not A-Flop Zambrano's a bonified horse with attitude....

[RJ]

New manager and a darn good man for a bench coach. THe only bad thing about the Tiger run this year is all the credit going to Leyland. Many of the moves to get where we are started under Trammel. He was hired four years ago, in my opinion, to keep fans interested and friendly, thru very tough times. Dombrowski knew 2003 would not be pretty. I hated to see Alan let go, but I understand wanting Jim Leyland. All Tiger fans should wish Alan Trammel nothing but the best. I now have a National League team to root for.

[genegodawa]

I see you now have Cubbie Blue running through your veins. Welcome aboard RJ!