 The development of Castro, Anthony Rizzo, Darwin Barney, Brett Jackson and pitcher Jeff Samardzija as well as the replenishing of the minor-league system became the primary focus of the season, a philosophy which the new management said would carry over at least through the 2013 season.Manager Dale Sveum was fired on September 30, 2013.On November 7, 2013, Rick Renteria was hired as the manager.