CHICAGO -- Former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez will be one of the candidates interviewed for the Chicago Cubs managerial job, according to a major league source.
Gonzalez, who was fired by the Marlins on June 24, has a long personal and professional relationship with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry stemming from the time they worked together with the Marlins.
Gonzalez, who has interviewed with the Cubs in the past, is the consensus top choice to replace Bobby Cox as manager of the Atlanta Braves, according to multiple baseball sources.
The Marlins were 34-36, 6 1/2 games behind the Braves in the NL East when Gonzalez was fired. Florida owner Jeffrey Loria, who declared his playoffs-or-bust expectations for his team in spring training, said he had decided to change managers after 70 games, saying "we can do better and be better."
Gonzalez, 46, had a 275-279 record in four seasons as Marlins manager.
Hendry said Hall of Famer and Triple-A Iowa manager Ryne Sandberg will also be considered for the Cubs job. He is the only other known candidate at this point.
ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine contributed to this report.