Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum was fired Monday after meeting with team general manager Theo Epstein, according to ChicagoNow.com.
Sveum served as Cubs manager for two years while putting up a 127-192 overall record during what has been a tough few years for Chicago. The Cubs finished in the cellar of the National League Central with a 66-96 record this season, and were a full 31 games behind the division leading St. Louis Cardinals (97-65) in a division that saw three teams go to the postseason.
The Cubs were also 24 games out of the two wild-card spots, which both went to division rivals in the Pittsburgh Pirates (94-68) and Cincinnati Reds (90-72).
The Cubs finished in last place in both of Sveum's seasons as they were 61-102 in 2012 before slightly improving their record by five games this season. The problems arose before Sveum took over as the Cubs have finishedin dead last for three straight seasons and haven't made the postseason since 2008 when the team won its second consecutive division title.
Sveum's tenure was not without controversy as pitcher Edwin Jackson was upset with him after he was lifted following just four innings of work on Sept. 16.
Despite the losses on the field, ChicagoNow.com reports that the reason Sveum was fired was because Sveum's job of handling the Cubs' multiple prospects was up to par.
Three key players had promising 2012 seasons under Sveum but then struggled through 2013: pitcher Jeff Samardzija, shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Samardzija posted a 3.81 ERA with a 1.219 WHIP through 28 games in 2012, but in 2013 his numbers were worse as his ERA rose to 4.34 and his WHIP increased to 1.348 through 33 games.
Castro and Rizzo were both offered contract extensions after promising 2012 campaigns, with Castro receiving an extension last August while Rizzo netted one in May.
After hitting .283 with 14 homers and 78 RBIs while playing in all 162 games in 2012, Castro hit just .245 through 161 games in 2013 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs. Rizzo hit .285 in 2012 with 15 homers and 48 RBIs through 87 games, but while playing in more games this season, Rizzo's homers (23) and RBIs (80) went up while his average plummeted to .233 through 160 games.
Sveum is out as Cubs manager due to the young talent falling off in his second year, but it remains to be seen who will take his spot at the helm and try and lead the young talent out of the cellar next year.
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