Cubs protect Craig Counsell's coaching staff with a timely move against Mets

The impression is that Craig Counsell's coaching staff will remain unchanged for the 2027. While there was speculation the Chicago Cubs could move on from pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, but he's expected to remain with the team. Recently, assistant hitting coaching John Mallee was drawing interest from the New York Mets, but the Cubs have thwarted their efforts.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney and Will Sammon report that Mallee withdrew his name from consideration for the Mets' hitting coach opening, and it's tied to the Cubs reworking his contract. Details of Mallee's reworked contract with the Cubs was not disclosed, but the changes were enough to keep him from even speaking with the Mets this offseason.

Mallee is in his second run with the Cubs' big-league club, and it was his ability to connect with Pete Crow-Armstrong that likely put him on the Mets' radar this offseason. Crow-Armstrong has always had the ceiling of a superstar, but in terms of the changes he's made to his approach over the past year, especially when it comes to his plate discipline, Mallee has been a key component of that success.

Cubs' contract decision keeps Mets from landing John Mallee

While speaking to the Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro at the end of the season, Crow-Armstrong referred to Mallee as his "baseball dad".

“That’s my baseball dad in a sense, somebody knowing you when it comes to this kind of thing,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I mean, you really need it. We speak the same language. I’m lucky that I don’t have to get to know him again. He knows what he’s getting into when it’s a game like that, and he knows that I always feel like there’s something we’ve got to f−−−−−− figure out. We’ve got to do it now, and he’s always down for the challenge.

Nonetheless, you can see why the Cubs went out of their way to ensure Mallee remains in Chicago. While it's unlikely to think that Crow-Armstrong can replicate the same level of success he had this season, it certainly will help that Mallee is still going to be a trusted voice in the clubhouse. On the other end, Mallee turned down a promotion to stay with the Cubs. That speaks to the connection that he's not only developed with Crow-Armstrong, but the entire team.

2027, assuming there's a semi-regular season, is proving to be a pivotal year for Counsell and his staff. Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins are also in a similar position, but if the Cubs fall flat by the end of the regular season and playoffs like they've done over the past two years, a change might be on the horizon.

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