Cubs could be directly impacted by the Padres' latest managerial drama

Year two of the Craig Counsell era brought improved results: the Chicago Cubs went from 83 to 92 wins, punching their first ticket to the playoffs since 2020 and winning postseason games for the first time since 2017. But as Counsell and the front office look ahead to the looming offseason and the 2026 campaign, there's some degree of uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff.

Previously connected to the San Francisco Giants managerial vacancy, Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty has been floated as a potential candidate to replace San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, who abruptly retired on Monday.

Rumors of tension between Shildt and Padres president of baseball operations and general manager AJ Preller swirled this summer and, after two years on the job and with two years left on his contract, the 57-year-old Shildt is stepping away after his team fell to the Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series.

“The grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically, and emotionally,” Schildt said. “While it has always been about serving others, it’s time I take care of myself and exit on my terms.”

Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty joins crowded list of candidates

Before joining Counsell in Chicago ahead of the 2024 season as his bench coach, Flaherty held the same role in the Padres organization from 2020-23. Obviously, there are only 30 big-league managerial gigs in the world, so if Flaherty received an offer, it would be shocking to see him pass and stay with the Cubs.

Other candidates floated by Bob Nightengale include future Hall of Famer Bruce Bochy, former Angels manager and Padres slugger Phil Nevin and two Padres special assistants in Scott Servais and AJ Ellis. It's unlikely this is the last time we see Flaherty's name connected to a managerial opening. He's widely respected around the league and learning from Counsell the last two years will only improve his standing.

Flaherty is just the second Cubs bench coach to last more than one season since Dave Martinez served as Joe Maddon's right-hand man from 2015-17. Brandon Hyde held the role in 2018, followed by Mark Loretta in 2019 and Andy Green in 2020. Green was hired as David Ross' bench coach ahead of the 2020 season and held the role until Ross was fired and Counsell was brought in following the 2023 campaign.

Obviously, there's been more continuity in the role over the last half-decade, but losing Flaherty would open the door for Counsell to continue shaping the organization - a bit of an expectation when Chicago lured him away with a record-setting contract two years ago.