Ted Lilly joins Chicago Cubs front office as a special assistant

Mar. 11, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher

(29) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch. Dodgers won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Former big league left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly has joined the Chicago Cubs front office as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, according to a team press release.

"“In his new role with the organization, Lilly will spend time with the club during spring training, visit the club’s minor league affiliates during the season, evaluate amateur players leading up to the draft and perform professional scouting assignments.”"

Lilly, who announced his retirement a few months ago, was a major piece in helping the Cubs win back-to-back National League Central titles in 2007-08 and called the years he spent in Chicago some of the best of his career.

When asked about the hiring of Lilly, Hoyer offered this commentary to MLB.com Cubs’ beat writer Carrie Muskat:

"“His reputation with the Cubs is sterling, which is fantastic, and not only as a person but as a competitor,” Hoyer said. “I really liked what he had to say. A lot of guys want to get back in and don’t want to work that much, and he made it clear he wants to work and wants to get involved in scouting."

Former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry hired Greg Maddux in a similar role back in 2010. Lilly, 38, spent 15 seasons pitching in the big leagues before retiring due to injury.