Chicago Cubs News: Important coaching move, La Stella’s valuable year

Replacing Dave Martinez as bench coach will be one of the most important decisions the Chicago Cubs will make this offseason. And while Tommy La Stella had a small role, it was still a vital one for the Cubs.

As the Chicago Cubs look to replace Joe Maddon‘s longtime sidekick Dave Martinez, they have to be smart about it. Going for too big a name could undercut Joe Maddon and give the impression he’s on the hot seat. But they need to find someone that he can work well with as this is his go-to guy. Do they go after a David Ross, John Farrell or someone else? Or do they stay in-house and move Brandon Hyde into the role?

Tommy La Stella played a small role in this year’s Cubs’ team. But it wasn’t filled with the drama that it was last year. He took being demoted in stride and turned out to be a solid bench player for Maddon and the Cubs. With the players around him, he knew it was going to be a reserve role for him off the bench. And he excelled as that left-handed bat, with most at-bats coming against righties. His role was small in 2017, but he did a fine job of it.

The Cubs have two new coaches that hope to change the stigma of how 2017 finished. Jim Hickey and Chili Davis will take over as the pitching and hitting coach, respectively, as they look to turn the Cubs’ NLDS woes around. Both are well respected, and each has ties to the Cubs organization in one way or another.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Cubs need to be smart in replacing Martinez’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Grading Tommy La Stella’s season’ – Cubbies Crib

‘New pitching coach Hickey hopes to leave his mark’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Davis hopes to turn the tide for Cubs offense’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Verlander, Hill face off tonight in Game 6’ – MLB.com

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