"The industry is buzzing about who is going to replace fired Jim Hendry as general manager of the Cubs.

Though the team is a mess, it's still a plum job. The payroll is always high, the fan base is passionate, and a lifetime of worship awaits the GM who finally gets the Cubs that elusive World Series victory.

Pat Gillick was the hot candidate early, but he's holding firm to his statement that he's not interested in being a GM again.

There are a lot of people who think that Rick Hahn, the highly regarded assistant GM of the White Sox, is now the front-runner. But owner Tom Ricketts is sure to at least explore the availability of such big names as Brian Cashman (Yankees), Andrew Friedman (Rays), Theo Epstein (Red Sox) and Ned Colletti (Dodgers). Two former GMs, Dan Evans and Josh Byrnes, are possible candidates, as is Kim Ng, who one day will become the first female GM."