Cubs poach from NL Central rival for key hire to Craig Counsell's coaching staff

For the second consecutive offseason, the Chicago Cubs are poaching a coach away from the Milwaukee Brewers.

With the World Series now over, it seems that the Cubs' first order of business will be completing Craig Counsell's coaching staff. Since the end of the season, Counsell dismissed several coaches, including first base coach Mike Napolis and third base coach Willie Harris.

The Cubs seem to have found Harris' replacement as Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (Subscription Required) reports that Quintin Berry will be departing the Milwaukee Brewers organization in favor of becoming the new third base coach of the Cubs.

Given the nature in which the Cubs hired Counsell last offseason, the former Brewers' manager was limited in the coaches he could bring with him from Milwaukee. As Counsell gains influence with decisions within the Cubs' baseball operation, it makes sense that one of his more important hires to his coaching staff this season is someone who was with him during his time with the Brewers. Berry has spent the past four seasons on the Brewers' coaching staff.

In parting ways with Napolis and Harris, Counsell and the Cubs were seeking improved production on the basepaths. While the Cubs were among the league leaders in stolen bases this season, the season was littered with questionable sends between bases and at home plate. For what it's worth, in terms of FanGraphs' base running metric, the Brewers were the best baserunning team in baseball last season.

Craig Counsell adds a familiar face to the Cubs' coaching staff.

If nothing else, it will benefit Counsell to have one of his guys on the coaching staff with him. What the 2024 season proved for the Cubs is that the success of the Brewers extended beyond Counsell. It was also the people that Counsell had around him.

Cubs fans may remember Barry from being a late addition to the 2015 roster that reached the National League Championship series, True to his hire, the Cubs added Barry to their postseason roster in 2015 as a base running specialist.