Cubs, Red Sox want to talk to Maddux

The Cubs and Red Sox have both asked for permission to interview Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux for their managerial jobs.

Maddux is widely credited for helping convert C.J. Wilson and Alexei Ogando from relievers into very good starting pitchers and is seen as one of the very best pitching coaches in baseball.

The Red Sox and Cubs are looking at many of the same people as candidates for their managerial openings. Dale Sveum, the Brewers' hitting coach, and Pete Mackanin, the Phillies' bench coach, also are interviewing for both jobs

Others seen as candidates in both places include Rays coach Dave Martinez, Dodgers coach Tim Wallach and Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. The Cubs and Red Sox are now run by Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington, respectively who worked side-by-side in Boston for years. New Cubs GM Jed Hoyer also worked with both men in Boston until late 2009.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell, the former Red Sox pitching coach, was seen as a top candidate by both places before Toronto clarified its open-door policy to say it wouldn't let him interview for lateral jobs elsewhere. Padres manager Bud Black could be another pitching expert who might interest both teams but it is unclear whether Black would be allowed to interview for other managing jobs.

Highly-regarded people from the Mike Scioscia/Joe Maddon managing tree in Anaheim are being closely considered. Black, Rays manager Joe Maddon and Brewers manager Ron Roenicke are all former coaches under Scioscia with the Angels. Martinez coaches for Maddon now and Sveum coaches for Roenicke. Maddon would be a very top pick if he were available but he has a year to go on his Rays contract and is not someone the Rays would want to get away.