Joe Maddon was introduced Monday as the Chicago Cubs’ fifth manager since the start of the 2010 season, and the two sides agreed to a five-year deal through the 2019 season.
Terms were not announced, but reports last week said Maddon was seeking at least $5 million per year. That would make Maddon one of the highest-paid managers in the major leagues.
The team scheduled at 2 p.m. CT news conference to introduce Maddon as the Cubs’ 54th manager at a bar across the street from Wrigley Field, which is undergoing renovations.
Maddon, 60, takes over for Rick Renteria, who was fired after leading the Cubs to a 73-89 record in his only season.
Maddon managed the Tampa Bay Rays for nine seasons before he opted out of his contract last month. He departed after Andrew Friedman left Tampa Bay’s front office to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 14.
Maddon had a 754-705 record in nine seasons, leading the Rays to four playoff appearances, two AL East titles and a five-game loss to Philadelphia in the 2008 World Series.
Maddon will be trying to end the title drought that goes back to the Cubs’ last World Series win in 1908.
The Cubs have finished with a losing record in each of the past five seasons and haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2008.