Quade’s Coaching Staff

While, Mike Quade was named the new Chicago Cubs manager, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and pitching coach Larry Rothschild will remain in their position for the 2011 season. Also it is expected that Mike Quade will keep Lester Strode as the Bullpen Coach, Ivan DeJesus as the third base coach, and Bob Derneir as the first base coach. However, long time Lou Piniella pal and bench coach Alan Trammell will not be returning as the Cubs bench coach, as he decided to join Kirk Gibson’s staff in the same capacity for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Chicago Cubs left the door open for Trammell to come back, however, Trammell decided against the idea.

One of the leading candidates to become Quade’s bench coach was former Cubs minor league Coach, and current Washington National’s coach Pat Listach. There was a belief last week that if Listach did not get the Brewers managerial position, he would then join the Chicago Cubs coaching staff. However, news came today that the Nationals want to have Listach back next season, meaning it is unlikely that Listach will be re-uniting with the Chicago Cubs.

A popular option that many fans have tossed out for Bench Coach, was Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg, who lost out to Quade for being the Cubs manager, has been invited back to manager triple-A Iowa, but, not for any coaching spot under Mike Quade. Which is the right move to make for all parties involved. The Chicago Cubs can not subject Mike Quade to having someone who is capable of winning over fan support, and then possibly replacing him as Manager as soon as things go wrong.  The time has come, where Cubs fans have let go of the idea of Sandberg remaining in the Cubs organization, because it is looking more and more likely that it will not happen.

A name to watch for is Ken Macha, the former Brewers Manager. Mike Quade and Macha have a pretty good relationship, and that may lead the Cubs to bringing Macha aboard as the Bench Coach.