As the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season wrapped up on Monday, many teams around the league — including the Chicago Cubs — began to look toward the future. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Cubs parted ways with several members of their coaching staff, including first base coach Mike Napoli, assistant hitting coach James Adduci, bullpen coach Darren Holmes, and a couple of strength coaches.
Black Monday around the league for coaches: The Cubs are making several changes including letting go of first base coach Mike Napoli, hitting coach Jim Adduci, bullpen coach Darren Holmes and a couple of strength coaches, per sources.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) September 30, 2024
Cubs Move On from Several Members of Coaching Staff
After finishing third in the National League Central at 83-79 and missing the postseason for the fourth straight season, it’s hardly a surprise that the Cubs are eager to make changes.
Napoli, the former All-Star first baseman and catcher and 2013 World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, had been with the Cubs organization since 2019 when he was hired as a quality assurance coach. The Cubs eventually promoted him to first base coach before the 2022 season.
Adduci joined the Cubs after the 2020 season as an assistant hitting coach. As a player, the 39-year-old appeared in parts of five MLB seasons with the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Cubs from 2013 to 2019. He is the son of former big leaguer Jim Adduci.
Meanwhile, Holmes just wrapped up his first season with the Cubs after his hiring in December 2023. He was a bullpen coach for the Colorado Rockies from 2015 to 2019 and the Baltimore Orioles from 2019 through 2023. During his playing career, he appeared as a relief pitcher with several teams, concluding his 13-year MLB career in 2003 with a 4.25 ERA.
What’s Next for the Cubs?
Cubs manager Craig Counsell inherited most of his staff upon his hiring by the club in November 2023. Given his success as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2015 until 2023, it stands to reason that Counsell may seek out some of his former staff to join him.
Craig Counsell knows Cubs fans deserve better than this product.
Big-market expectations are part of what lured him to the Chicago — the chance to be challenged, scrutinized and celebrated.
And the Cubs haven’t lived up to it, writes @PJ_Mooney.https://t.co/kDprFuFKyG pic.twitter.com/7DZOnc784g
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) September 30, 2024
Counsell spoke to reporters on Monday, including Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, saying there was “work to do” this offseason in Chicago. These coaching changes are likely just the beginning of a busy winter in the Windy City as the Cubs look to return to relevance.
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