Green new bench coach as Cubs finalize staff
SAN DIEGO -- When the Cubs hired David Ross to be their new manager earlier this offseason, he immediately began reaching out to the team's coaches to assemble his first staff. Ross also discussed external candidates he was hoping to bring into the fold.
On the first day of the Winter Meetings on Monday, the work of the past several weeks culiminated in the Cubs' announcement of the makeup of Ross' 2020 staff. The group features a mixture of holdovers to maintain continuity and new voices to help the first-year manager create the type of culture he has in mind for the clubhouse, dugout and field.
At his introductory press conference, Ross said it was important to surround himself with experienced coaches to ease his transition to the manager's chair.
"I've sat in the dugout. I've managed from my seat as a player," Ross said. "But doing it, calling the shots, being one step ahead and being aware of the bullpen, all of those things are going to be a learned task."
Here is how the 2020 Cubs coaching staff will look:
Bench coach: Andy Green
Ross' right-hand man in the dugout will be Green, who spent the bulk of the past four seasons as the manager of the Padres. His experience as a skipper will aid Ross with his in-game decision-making. Prior to managing San Diego, Green was a third-base coach for the D-backs (2015) and a Minor League manager in their system ('11-14).
Pitching coach: Tommy Hottovy
Hottovy returns for a second season as the lead voice for Chicago's pitching infrastructure. He previously worked as a run prevention coordinator for the Cubs, but he impressed in his first year as pitching coach. Most notably, Yu Darvish enjoyed a strong comeback campaign under Hottovy's watch.
Bullpen coach: Chris Young
Young joins the Cubs' staff, taking over for longtime bullpen coach Lester Strode. Young spent the 2019 season as the Phillies' pitching coach and was their assistant MLB pitching coach in '18. Prior to Philadelphia, he held scouting roles for the Astros ('15-17) and Padres ('10-14).
Associate pitching, catching and strategy coach: Mike Borzello
Borzello will return for his ninth season on the Cubs' coaching staff (25th year overall as a Major League coach). He works closely with Hottovy and the team's pitchers on game planning, while also helping the Cubs' catchers.
Hitting coach: Anthony Iapoce
Iapoce will return as hitting coach for a second season, following a three-year stint in the same role with the Rangers. Prior to working with Texas, he oversaw the Cubs' Minor League hitting program. Iapoce has a history with many of the Cubs' MLB hitters from their Minor League days. In 2019, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant enjoyed strong comeback campaigns with him at the helm.
First-base/catching coach: Craig Driver
Driver joins the Cubs' staff after spending the past two years as a bullpen catcher and receiving coach for the Phillies. He held a similar role with Yale University the two previous years. Driver will double as a catching coach for the Cubs, bringing an analytical approach to the position. It is another hire that fits Chicago's push to modernize its operations.
Third-base coach: Will Venable
Venable returns for a third season on the Cubs' staff, but he will move to third from first base. Venable -- one of the Cubs' internal candidates for the managerial role -- will also continue to coach the team's outfielders. He takes over at third for Brian Butterfield, who is now the third-base coach for Joe Maddon's staff with the Angels.
Quality assurance coach: Mike Napoli
Napoli interviewed for a spot on the Cubs' staff in 2019, but he will begin his MLB coaching career this year on David Ross' staff. Ross and Napoli were teammates with the Red Sox. Napoli, who played in three World Series in his career, earned a reputation as a clubhouse leader as a player. His hiring fits the Cubs' desire to enhance the level of accountability in the clubhouse.
Senior director of Major League data and development: Kyle Evans
Evans joins the coaching staff after spending the past eight years in the Cubs' front office (most recently as a senior director of player personnel).
Assistant hitting coach: Terrmel Sledge
Anthony Iapoce and Sledge were hired to be the MLB hitting coach duo in 2019 and will do the same in '20.
Staff assistants: Juan Cabreja and Franklin Font
Bullpen catcher: Chad Noble