Cubs expected to keep Tommy Hottovy despite speculation about coaching staff shakeup

With Jed Hoyer stressing during his end-of-season press conference that the Chicago Cubs were going to prioritize pitching and potentially switch their plan for pitching development, there was speculation that Tommy Hottovy could be the scapegoat for what went wrong with the team's pitching staff during the 2026. That doesn't appear to be happening.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma have reported that Hottovy is expected to return as the team's pitching coach in 2027. Nothing is official until the Cubs announce Craig Counsell's coaching staff later this offseason, but considering there's been no mention of team seeking a replacement, that likely is another sign that a decision has already been made.

Tommy Hottovy appears set to stay with Cubs despite coaching staff speculation

First and foremost, blaming Hottovy for what went wrong with the Cubs' pitching staff in 2026 would have been mistake. It was a pitching staff that didn't have Justin Steele for the entire season, and lost Cade Horton in April. It's fair to wonder if the major-league develop of pitchers under Hottovy's watch has stalled, but this would have been a difficult offseason to make that drastic of change to Craig Counsell's coaching staff.

The reason is due to the looming lockout on December 2. Assuming there's not a new CBA in place before then, coaches are unable to communicate with any player on their 40-man roster. Yes, they are allowed to attend social gatherings, such as wedding, but the idea of talking about anything related to the upcoming season or training plan for the offseason is strongly discouraged.

That would put any potential new pitching coach behind the eight ball, considering Hottovy is generally aware of the plan moving forward the pitchers who are expected back next season. Not to mention, what went wrong for Edward Cabrera last year, and the potential plan moving forward.

One way or anothers, things are lining up for next offseason to be the decisive one for the entire organization. It will mark one final year remaining on Counsell's contract, and if the result is similar to the one the Cubs have had over the las two years, chances are there will be considerable changes to the entire organization. Anyone from Hoyer to Counsell to Hottovy and the other names on the coaching staff will be on the hot seat.

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