Craig Counsell isn't going anywhere but Cubs coaching staff could see first offseason shakeup

Three years through the Craig Counsell era for the Chicago Cubs, it feels like the door will be open to him potentially being on the hot seat when baseball resumes in 2027. Counsell has managed the Cubs to the playoffs in two of his first three years in Chicago, but it's become clear the results haven't quite matched the expectations that came with his arrival.

Changes likely are ahead for the Cubs, but that likely won't include a change in Counsell's status. Counsell hasn't been perfect, but there's also the reality that he spent a bulk of the 2026 season without Cade Horton, Justin Steele, and Ben Brown.

For better or worse, Counsell isn't going anywhere. That said, it would seem likely there's at least one change to his coaching staff, and it may not be out of the question if there are multiple departures.

The first is bench coach Ryan Flaherty. It would seem unlikely that Flaherty is fired as part of some message of the Cubs needing a change, but he's been rising managerial candidate over the last couple fo seasons. Last season, he was a strong candidate to be the next manager of the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles.

Chances that Flaherty is going to receive interest once again this offseason. While his return to the Cubs may have been fueled, in part, by a desire to finish the job from the 2025 season, it would seem that it's time for him to have his own operation as a manager.

Tommy Hottovy could be the biggest offseason change for Craig Counsell's coaching staff

It may be a different story for Tommy Hottovy. If the Cubs were to make a big change to Counsell's coaching staff, outside of Flaherty landing a managerial gig, it would seem that the firing of Hottovy could be on the table.

Hottovy has served as the Cubs' pitching coach since the 2019 season. For all the focus on the Cubs' pitching infrastructure wanting to rival that of the Cleveland Guardians, where there is streamline of arms and development that assists the major league roster, that hasn't been the case under Hottovy.

With Tyler Zombro's rise in the Cubs' front office, perhaps the stage is set for Hottovy's departure this offseason. The idea being that the Cubs can add someone to Counsell's staff that is handpicked by Zombro, and has the seal of approval from the manager. After years of being unable to develop pitching and establish effective homegrown options, something needs to change, and chances are it starts with Hottovy.

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