Cubs offer manager job to Sveum

MILWAUKEE -- Dale Sveum has been offered the Chicago Cubs managerial job, sources told SI.com, and signs point strongly to Sveum accepting the position. Sveum

MILWAUKEE -- Dale Sveum has been offered the Chicago Cubs managerial job, sources told SI.com, and signs point strongly to Sveum accepting the position.

Sveum was a top choice of the Boston Red Sox, as well, and the only candidate to interview twice in person with both teams. Boston made Sveum no offer after his second interview Wednesday, and Red Sox officials suggested they are likely to widen their search beyond the half dozen or so candidates who have already interviewed. It was unclear whether the Red Sox would have made Sveum the offer if it hadn't been clear to them he was going to the Cubs. Sveum has worked in the NL Central as a Brewers coach in recent years and lives in Arizona, not far from where the Cubs train.

Sveum was viewed from the start by top Cubs and Red Sox decision-makers as a man who knew the game and always had a strong rapport with players. Sveum guided the Brewers into the playoffs in 2008 as a late-season interim replacement, but he has served primarily as a coach in recent years for the Brewers and before that the Red Sox, where he was known as an over-aggressive third base coach.

Sveum's impeding hiring is the latest chapter in a growing rivalry between the two historic franchises. New Cubs president Theo Epstein left the Red Sox to sign a five-year deal in Chicago, then plucked Padres GM Jed Hoyer, a former lieutenant in Boston, to be his general manager. New Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, Epstein's longtime right-hand man, is running the show in Boston now.

The Red Sox interviewed Sandy Alomar Jr., Pete Mackanin, Torey Lovullo and Gene Lamont in the first go-round but are now open to interviewing others. Some possibilities could include Ryne Sandberg, Dave Martinez and Tim Wallach. Alomar and Mackanin also had interviewed with the Cubs.