The Chicago Cubs are still busy putting the finishing touches on new manager David Ross’ coaching staff, and he will reportedly be joined by one of his former Boston Red Sox teammates.
According to multiple reports, including MLB Network’s Jon Heyman and The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, the Cubs have hired former catcher Mike Napoli as their quality assurance coach, replacing Chris Denorfia in that role.
Napoli retired from baseball after the 2017 season, and was a teammate of Ross’ in Boston during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Napoli is just the latest hire for a Cubs team that has seen some changes on its coaching staff so far this offseason. While pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and hitting coach Anthony Iapoce have both reportedly been retained, according to The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney, the team will have a new bench coach, reportedly hiring former San Diego Padres manager Andy Green for that position.
The Cubs have also reportedly replaced Lester Strode as their bullpen coach, bringing in former MLB pitcher Chris Young for that position, according to the Chicago Tribune.
First base coach Will Venable, who was also a candidate for the team’s managerial position earlier this year, will be retained, according to Team President Theo Epstein.
The lone vacancy still left to be filled is that of third base coach, as Brian Butterfield left the Cubs to join Joe Maddon’s staff with the Los Angeles Angels.
Chicago Baseball
Once that job is filled, the Cubs are expected to make all of the moves official at once.
