Bill Mueller resigns as Chicago Cubs’ hitting coach

According to multiple reports, including one by ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers, Chicago Cubs hitting coach Bill Mueller resigned Tuesday, just over a week after the organization dismissed assistant hitting coach Mike Brumley.

"The Cubs said Sept. 30 that all coaches, except for Brumley, would be invited back next season. Mueller, however, decided to move on, according to the source, as he liked the comfort zone he had developed with Brumley."

Both Mueller and Brumley were in their first seasons with the Cubs – and although some players, such as Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Luis Valbuena, put together solid years at the plate, the team led Major League Baseball in strikeouts and ranked 28th in on-base percentage. The new hitting coach, whoever that may be, will be the team’s fourth in four years.

"That man will not be – according to reports – Triple-A be former big league outfielder Manny Ramirez, who served as a player-coach for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs last season. Ramirez, 42, posted a .648 OPS in 24 games, hitting three home runs and driving in 10. However, a source told Rogers that he could be in the mix for the assistant hitting coach vacancy, although that is contingent on his retiring as a player."

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs need to walk the walk this winter after talking the talk
• Alec Mills shocked Cubs fans, baseball world with 2020 no-hitter
• Cubs: After season of adjustments, Seiya Suzuki primed for monster 2023
• Projecting the 2023 Cubs Opening Day lineup
• Cubs: 2022 season a ‘success,’ according to Tom Ricketts

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Mueller was given an invitation to return, but declined that offer to pursue other opportunities. He previously served the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in several capacities, including six years as a front office special assistant and one-half season, back in 2007, as the team’s hitting coach.

"Once considered a lock for the Hall of Fame, Ramirez, who hit 555 career home runs, driving in over 1,800 runs, saw his legacy marred by PED accusations and suspensions late in his playing career. A .312 hitter in the big leagues, he spent time with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox."