Cubs News: John Mallee turns down Mets, Steven Kwan's Guardians future, Brewers

News broke last week that John Mallee was in the running to become the next hitting coach of the New York Mets, and may have led to an unwelcome change for Craig Counsell's coaching staff with the Chicago Cubs.

Updating that story, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported on Monday night that Mallee took his name out of the consideration for Mets' opening, and he will be remaining with the Cubs.

Cubs' 2027 coaching staff should look familiar after John Mallee turning down Mets' interest

With news of Mallee remaining with the Cubs, chances are that Craig Counsell's coaching staff in 2027 will look pretty familiar. News also broke last week that there isn't expected to be changes to the pitching coaches on Counsell's staff, and that sets the stage for a decisive offseason next year.

If the Cubs end the 2027 season in a similar position to the one they are currently in, it would be hard to suggest that there shouldn't be changes. The changes would need to start above Counsell, but the coaching staff would also be on the hot seat.

Cubs could be chasing a Steven Kwan trade that Guardians never make

Steven Kwan has been an early trade target speculated to be on the Cubs' radar this offseason, but it's largely been based on speculation over how the Cleveland Guardians have operated in the past. There's been no indication that the Guardians are going to trade Kwan this offseason, and Cleveland's president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti suggested that Kwan will be with the Guardians in 2027.

If anything, it's a reminder that there's no certainty that Kwan will be traded this winter. That said, there's also clear posturing, considering the caveat of "as we sit here today". It's possible that as Guardians sit later this offseason, Kwan is no longer on their roster.

Brewers have a chance to sweep the Rays, igniting a chaotic start to the Cubs' offseason

The offseason could start as soon as tonight. After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 on Monday night, the Milwaukee Brewers have the chance at a sweeping victory in the World Series on Tuesday.

The expectation is that there will be a fast-paced start to the offseason, and there's no time to waste for the Cubs. One of the first decisions that will need to be made is whether or not to the extend the qualifying offer to Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ.

Suzuki feels like a foregone conclusion to receive the qualifying offer, but Happ could be up for debate. It's possible the Cubs wouldn't be opposed to Happ accepting the offer, but in a weak free-agent class, the veteran outfielder will likely command multi-year offers.

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