Chicago Cubs: Brian Butterfield one of the best, team made right call in Hyde

The Chicago Cubs’ coaching staff will have a much different look in 2018. And the front office may have struck the perfect balance between old and new.

Yesterday, we did a lot of looking at the Chicago Cubs’ recent changes to the coaching staff. Of course, Brian Butterfield joins former fellow Red Sox coach Chili Davis  heading into 2018. But, with the chance to go outside the organization again, Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon opted to stay in-house with Brandon Hyde as bench coach.

There are plenty of appealing names out on the market who could have filled that role admirably. But, Epstein may have run the risk of alienating Maddon should the team hit a rough patch or struggle as they did in 2017. Hyde represents the known – someone both Maddon and his players know and trust.

In Butterfield, though, the Cubs picked up one of the best in the game. Not only a third base coach, but also one of the premier infield coaches in all of baseball, he brings years of experience and knowledge to a still-young Chicago ball club.

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Speaking of which, one of the veterans from the 2017 club, Jon Jay, got plenty of love from us on Friday.

In our season-end reviews, the outfielder picked up an ‘A’ grade for his consistency at the dish and his mentoring of younger guys like Albert Almora. Really, you can’t ask for or expect more from a guy on a one-year, $8 million deal.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Butterfield still at the top of his game’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Former Cubs’ hitting coach John Mallee lands in Philly’ – Bleacher Nation

‘Cubs made the right call in their new bench coach’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Could Maples really get a shot to be Chicago closer?’ – Cubs Insider

‘Jay proved to be a valuable spark for Maddon in ’17’ – Cubbies Crib

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