AP Photo/Ashley Landis

The Rundown: Cubs Dismiss Several Coaches, Offseason Plans Hinge on Bellinger, Rose Passes Away, Postseason Field Set

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterOctober 1, 2024

“I’m walking down the line that divides me somewhere in my mind. On the borderline of the edge, and where I walk alone.” – Green Day, Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Most HR experts agree that Tuesday is the best day to dismiss an employee, but a couple of Cubs coaches got their pink slips on Monday. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported yesterday that long-time first base coach Mike Napoli is out, as are hitting instructor James Adduci and bullpen coach Darren Holmes. The ink was barely dry on the 2024 season when the announcement was made. Two strength coaches also lost their jobs. Third base coach Willie Harris is probably sweating bullets, but he hasn’t been released, at least so far as we know. The Cubs were among MLB’s worst in baserunning outs, including outs made at home plate.

Hitting coach Dustin Kelly and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy appear to be safe, as do Chicago’s other coaches.

Craig Counsell is entering his first full offseason with the club so the news should not be surprising. Chicago’s manager was a surprise hire by the Cubs in November and essentially inherited his entire coaching staff, minus Holmes and bench coach Ryan Flaherty, whom Counsell snagged from the Padres. The Cubs finished with an 83-79 record for the second consecutive season thanks partly to an inconsistent offense, several early-season bullpen failures, and a rash of player injuries.

Changes in the training and medical department seemed like a foregone conclusion, as Shōta Imanaga was the only member of Chicago’s rotation who did not spend time on the IL this year. Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, and Patrick Wisdom were also injured this year, as was Nico Hoerner, whose hand fracture was not serious enough to warrant an IL stint.

Jed Hoyer will speak with the media today and I’m sure he’ll provide more details in his presser. The president of baseball operations is on record as saying that he needs to address the gap between his ballclub and the teams that made this year’s postseason tournament, including the Brewers. The Cubs finished 10 games behind Milwaukee, who held first place for the entirety of the 162-game schedule.

“Standings don’t lie,” Hoyer said last week in Philadelphia. “You are what you are. There’s a big gap in the standings.”

Counsell, who ends almost every sentence with the word “absolutely,” will be a purposeful part of that process in the coming months. Chicago struggled in May and June after a fast start to the season, so a hand-picked coaching staff and some stability in the dugout may help avoid a repeat in 2025.

Cubs News & Notes

  • Chicago’s offseason plans hinge on Bellinger’s decision. If he returns, the front office will have to find creative ways to improve an offense that struggled with inconsistency throughout the season.
  • For Counsell, the offseason started as soon as the final out was made on Sunday.
  • Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Mason Miller both seem like potential big-swing trade candidates, but it remains to be seen if the Cubs are willing to part with the assets required to get either.
  • Porter Hodge was a revelation this season. The hard-throwing righty logged a 1.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 19 walks, limiting batters to a .132 average (.453 OPS) in his 43 innings. Hodge also collected nine saves, filling in as the closer at times down the stretch.
  • Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Time is disgusted with the failures of both Chicago baseball teams.
  • I’d like to hear your opinion but I believe Wisdom, Nick Madrigal, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Colten Brewer will not be with the Cubs next season. I also believe free agents Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly will not return. Jorge López is also a free agent, but I have a feeling there will be mutual interest in bringing him back.
  • Acquisitions? Guerrero Jr. and Roki Sasaki are on my wish list.

Odds & Sods

I have no problem with this type of fundraiser.

Ball Four

I’m going to stand my ground regarding Bellinger because I don’t see him walking away from $27.5 million. I’ll share my reasoning with you.

  1. Bellinger didn’t sign last year until February 27, a short time after the Cubs started their Cactus League schedule. He’s not going to get a legitimate offer this season until Juan Soto signs, and I don’t believe he’ll be able to exercise that type of patience again.
  2. Teams that target Bellinger to play first base are also going to wait to see where Pete Alonso signs.
  3. Anthony Santander will have a robust market and could be a priority over Bellinger for teams in need of outfield help. Santander, a switch hitter, blasted 44 home runs this year despite a .235 batting average. He also has a decent strikeout rate, though Bellinger is a year younger.
  4. Teoscar Hernandez and Alex Bregman are similar hitters, which will favor front offices in a demand-based market.
  5. What is Bellinger’s market if he opts out? The Blue Jays and Orioles might be interested, and the Yankees are the obvious choice if Soto leaves, but is that a chance worth taking? The Mets are also in the same position with Alonso’s contract.

In a normal year, Bellinger would be an ideal candidate to be extended for an extra year or two at a lower AAV, but the Cubs have several young outfielders ready to play at the major league level, including Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcántara, and Alexander Canario. Counsell could instead deploy Bellinger as a multi-positional force, the way the Cubs did with Ben Zobrist, especially with the universal DH, but that seems like a role better suited for Matt Shaw. Moving Michael Busch to third base is probably not a good idea either, and besides, Cam Smith is the team’s future at the hot corner.

I just don’t see Bellinger walking away from a guaranteed paycheck at this time. Plus, he truly loves playing for the Cubs.

Central Intelligence

How About That!

The Braves and Mets split their doubleheader on Monday, eliminating the Diamondbacks. New York will face the Brewers in the Wild Card round, while Atlanta draws the Padres.

The Mets believe they are a “team of destiny.” Cubs fans of a certain age are all too familiar with that concept.

MLB is going to revert to the uniforms it used before this season because of player complaints. The league also announced that hometown jerseys will be worn in the All-Star Game.

Rose provided a candid interview with KLTA-TV in Los Angeles just weeks before his passing, his final public plea for forgiveness.

Rose’s ban, and baseball’s association with gambling, are hypocritical constructs.

Shohei Ohtani jerseys were the top MLB sellers for the second consecutive season because changing teams is one of the best marketing tools ever.

Orioles starter Corbin Burnes intends to meet and exceed the expectations that come with being an ace in the postseason.

Tuesday Stove

The Giants fired top executive Farhan Zaidi on Monday and replaced him with former star catcher Buster Posey.

The White Sox could target ex-Mets skipper Carlos Beltrán for their managerial opening.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo believes team owners will okay a significant increase in payroll.

Rizzo could attempt to sign Alonso away from the Mets.

Soto and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner reportedly met privately in July, though no contract talks were conducted.

Extra Innings

Pete Crow-Armstrong is a real straight shooter. The two Bobs would be proud.

Drinks On Your Favorite Bartender

I’m proposing that October 1 be “Call Your Shot Day” in all Chicago bars and taverns. Somebody get Nisei Lounge on the horn.

They Said It

  • “I don’t think that there is a better place to play in the summertime. Once you get past April, it really is beautiful and Wrigley Field in general is beautiful. Love the fans – they’re very knowledgeable, and also very passionate. As a player, you feel the love and you feel the passion. Something I’ll never take for granted. A lot of good things about this organization and fans and everything.” – Bellinger

Tuesday Walk-Up Song

Happy Days was a Tuesday evening staple for 11 years starting in 1974. The show resulted in seven separate spin-offs, including the forgettable Blansky’s Beauties starring Nancy Walker, Eddie Mekka, Scott Baio, and Pat Morita. It’s no joke that The Karate Kid saved Morita’s career.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterOctober 1, 2024
Back to top button