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Chicago Cubs: A favorite has emerged in the search for a pitching coach
According to reports, the Chicago Cubs may be looking to stay in-house as they seek to replace recently departed pitching coach Jim Hickey this winter.
The writing appeared to be on the wall weeks ago when it came to former pitching coach Jim Hickey. A deafening silence existed following the team’s loss in the Wild Card game regarding the future of the Chicago Cubs coaching staff – and, last week, the other proverbial foot fell.
Honestly, most of us expected Theo Epstein and the organization to dismiss Hickey given their silence on his status moving forward. Instead, Hickey resigned, citing ‘personal reasons’, leaving the Cubs with another vacancy on their big league coaching staff.
Chicago fired Chili Davis at season’s end, following a second-half offensive collapse that saw the team’s lead in the division waste away in the final weeks. Assistant hitting coach Andy Haines left to take the big job with the division-rival Brewers, as well – in an offseason that’s been wrought with turnover and turmoil already.
In replacing Davis, the Cubs went with a familiar face in Anthony Iapoce. He served as the organization’s minor league hitting coordinator from 2013-2015, meaning he has relationships with several of the team’s young core pieces.
Chicago Cubs: This is Epstein’s show – not Maddon’s
Now, it appears as if Epstein and the Cubs will take the reins in replacing Hickey, as well. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic (subscription required), former big leaguer Tommy Hottovy is the early favorite to become the team’s next pitching coach.
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Before we get into Hottovy, I think there’s a critical distinction to make between how the organization is handling this winter as opposed to the last offseason. After the team’s World Series hangover 2017 campaign, Epstein and the front office seemingly deferred to Joe Maddon in replacing Chris Bosio and John Mallee, going with Maddon favorites in Davis and Hickey.
That’s hardly a surprise given Maddon’s lame-duck contract status heading into 2019. The team wasn’t willing to talk turkey (pardon the pun, I couldn’t resist myself) when it comes to a long-term deal and won’t until at some point in 2019. With that in mind and with an eye on a potential managerial change in the next 12 months, Epstein seems to be cementing some degree of continuity in his big league coaching staff.
“Even if we end up making a change or two, which I’m not sure there’s going to be, I think continuity is important as well,” Epstein said after the team’s loss in the Wild Card game. “You shouldn’t just be constantly changing coaches for the sake of changing coaches.”
Chicago Cubs: Young, but focused on analytics and run prevention
Hottovy, just 37 years old, might ring a bell for Cubs fans. The team inked him to a deal back in 2014, but injuries kept him from ever taking the mound at Wrigley Field. Since that point, he’s served as the club’s run prevention coordinator – and has worked closely with Epstein favorite Mike Borzello.
The former big league left-hander is known for his analytical acumen and approach to matchups – something we know this front office demands from its leadership. I have to agree with Epstein, though, in the sense of looking for that familiarity and continuity moving forward.
Make no mistake – the Cubs are still one of the best teams in the National League. Epstein knows that and the players know that, as well. No matter what happens with Maddon moving forward, that expectation is not going to change anytime soon.
Next. PECOTA projections are out for the 2019 Cubs. dark
As opposed to turning to a big-name outside addition to the coaching staff (which was clearly the name of the game last winter), Chicago seems content to go with what they know – and given the culture that permeates the offices at 1060 W. Addison, that’s probably the right call.