CHICAGO -- Mike Maddux, the Texas Rangers' pitching coach and a former managerial candidate of the Chicago Cubs, is "more interested" in the Cubs job this time than he was in 2011, according to a source. Two years ago, Maddux pulled out of the process before the team hired Dale Sveum.
Maddux, 52, wasn't ready to leave Texas then because of family considerations, but the source said that "isn't as big of a concern" now.
According to the source, Maddux has not been called by the Cubs.
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi remains the leading candidate in Chicago if he doesn't return to the Yankees. A.J Hinch, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Manny Acta are other names reportedly linked to the job.
Unlike when Sveum was hired, the Cubs prefer candidates with managerial experience in the majors. Maddux has never managed at the big league level. He's been the Rangers' pitching coach since 2009, following six seasons in the same position with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Maddux is the older brother of Greg Maddux, a former Cy Young Award winner with the Cubs. After retiring as a player in 2008, Greg Maddux spent time in Chicago's front office as a special assistant to former general manager Jim Hendry. He joined his brother in Texas in 2011 as special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels.