Mets could steal Pete Crow-Armstrong whisperer from Cubs coaching staff

There have been many reasons for Pete Crow-Armstrong's MVP campaign in 2026, but for anyone who has followed the Chicago Cubs throughout the year, there's an awareness that assistant hitting coach John Mallee has been part of the reason for his success.

Mallee's career has been intertwined with the Cubs over the past decade, previously serving as the team's hitting coach under Joe Maddon before leaving after the 2017 season but returning in 2023. The Cubs brought him back to the big-league club in 2024, and he's served under hitting coach Dustin Kelly since then. His return certainly had some influence on Crow-Armstrong's trajectory, but the Cubs may be at risk of losing Kelly.

Mallee is a candidate to be the next hitting coach of the New York Mets. The Mets removed the interim label from Andy Green this offseason, and he was David Ross' bench coach with the Cubs in 2023. That would have been the first year that Mallee returned to the Cubs' organization, so it's possible that is where the interest stems from.

John Mallee's departure would shakeup the Cubs' hitting coach staff

There would be some irony in Mallee leaving to become the Mets' hitting coach. Given Crow-Armstrong is likely to be the National League MVP, it's been a reminder of how the Cubs may have fleeced the Mets in the trade of Javier Baez in 2021. In a full-circle moment, Crow-Armstrong's success could now be the reason for the new hitting approach for the Mets moving forward if Mallee were to get the job.

It wouldn't be the first time this offseason that Crow-Armstrong's success may have been responsible for a loss to the Cubs' organization. Jared Banner, the executive who pushed for Crow-Armstrong in the trade with the Mets, became the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles earlier this week.

Between the news of Mallee potentially leaving for the Mets and reports that Tommy Hottovy will be back for the Cubs, we're getting a sense of Craig Counsell's coaching staff for 2027. The impression is that it will look pretty similar to the coaching staff Counsell had in 2026. Ryan Flaherty remains the wild-card, considering he has been linked to managerial openings in the past. As of now, it's unclear if he's had interviews with the Houston Astros or Seattle Mariners. Though, both teams may prefer a candidate with managerial experience.

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