CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Former Cubs catcher David Ross will be considered as a candidate for the team's vacant managerial position, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Monday afternoon.
Ross, 42, played for the Cubs in 2015 and 2016, when he was a part of their World Series championship team. However, Epstein remarked that Ross wouldn't be considered solely because of connections to past success.
"He's going to be evaluated on the merits," Epstein said in his season-ending press conference at Wrigley Field.
"We're looking forward, we're not looking backwards."
Ross is currently a special assistant in the Cubs' front office and an analyst for ESPN. He said on an ESPN telecast Sunday that he would be interested on the Cubs' managerial job. Epstein and the Cubs on Sunday announced that manager Joe Maddon wouldn't return for 2020 after his five-year contract expired at the conclusion of this season.
The Cubs finished 84-78, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Maddon led the organization to four consecutive postseason appearances from 2015-'18, including two division titles and the World Series title in 2016.
Epstein didn't speak of other candidates for the managerial job, though he said the Cubs are "full speed ahead" in their search for Maddon's replacement.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
