CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs hired Padres bench coach Rick Renteria as their new manager Thursday, bringing in a 51- year-old, first-year skipper they hope will develop their young talent and help establish the long-suffering franchise as a regular postseason contender.

Renteria was given a three-year contract, with club options for 2017 and 2018. Terms were not disclosed.

He has spent the last six seasons in San Diego, the last three as bench coach. Renteria has also coached in the Florida Marlins organization and in March managed Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. He replaces Dale Sveum, who was fired after two losing seasons.

The Cubs were 127-197 under Sveum and finished in last place in the National League Central Division for the first time in seven years.

The team had targeted Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a Peoria, Ill., native and Northwestern product who once played for the Cubs. But the former catcher signed a four-year contract worth up to $20 million to stay with New York through 2017.

Besides Renteria, the Cubs interviewed former Mariners and Indians manager Eric Wedge, Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, former Nationals and Indians manager Manny Acta, former Diamond-backs manager A.J. Hinch, and Brad Ausmus, who was hired by the Tigers on Sunday.

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