The first storyline after the Cubs were ousted out of the playoffs by the Rockies in the Wild Card Game was what changes were going to be made to the coaching staff.
People went crazy thinking Joe Maddon was on the hot seat, but Theo Epstein quickly shut down those rumors. There's still the lame duck status for Maddon, who at this point doesn't have a contract extension beyond next season. Anyway, there was a big change, as hitting coach Chili Davis was fired after only one year with the Cubs.
Anthony Iapoce was hired to replace Davis, but for a few weeks it looked like the Cubs were going to be forced to make another coaching change.
Bench coach Brandon Hyde became a hot managerial candidate this offseason, interviewing with four teams and was even one of three finalists for the Twins job. However, Hyde ultimately wasn't picked by the Angels, Rangers, Blue Jays or Twins and will return to the Cubs in 2019 as the bench coach.
So, on a personal level, not getting a manager position has to be disappointing, but selfishly for the Cubs they'll gladly have him back. You don't want too much coaching turnover and Hyde's had a close relationship with the team since 2014. However, there will be more opportunities for Hyde in the future and who knows that may even come with the Cubs. Again, Maddon doesn't have a deal beyond 2019, so if the Cubs decide to move on from him Hyde may become a candidate for the open spot. But we'll worry about that some other time. For now, the Cubs coaching staff is pretty much set with Hyde returning in 2019. Joe Maddon – manager Brandon Hyde – bench coach Anthony Iapoce – hitting coach Jim Hickey – pitching coach Will Venable – first base coach Brian Butterfield – third base coach Lester Strode – bullpen coach Chad Noble – bullpen catcher Mike Borzello – catching coach Juan Cabreja – batting practice pitcher Franklin Font – assistant bullpen coach Andy Haines – assistant hitting coach
