The Cubs and third base coach Willie Harris are parting ways, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score on X. Levine characterizes the split as mutual with the sides on good terms. He adds that Harris is open to other coaching positions.
Harris, 46, played in the majors from 2001 to 2012, suiting up for the Orioles, White Sox, Red Sox, Atlanta, Nationals, Mets and Reds. After his playing days were done, he moved into coaching, spending some time in the minors. The Cubs hired him as third base coach going into the 2021 season, working under manager David Ross.
Craig Counsell took over as the Cubs’ skipper coming into 2024, inheriting Mike Napoli as first base coach with Harris at third. It was reported last week that Napoli and a couple of other coaches won’t be returning and today’s news means the Cubs have yet another coaching vacancy to fill.
Back in August, Scott Merkin of MLB.com spoke to Harris about the managerial job with the White Sox, shortly after Pedro Grifol had been fired with Grady Sizemore taking over on an interim basis. Harris said that he would be interested in being the skipper of the White Sox but it’s unclear if that interest runs the other way.
“I would absolutely love it if they showed interest in me being the leader of this organization, this team,” Harris said. “But I also understand how it goes. It’s a waiting process. If they call, great, I’ll be ready. I’ll be prepared.”
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
Totally expected. Maybe Harris throws his hat into the ring for the White Sox job.
Acoss1331
If Willie wants that torture, more power to him.
metsin4
There’s only 30 manager jobs available. I’m sure there’s very few baseball people that would turn down any manager opportunity if it was giving.
rondon
I know they were generally being aggressive on the bases this season, but boy, there were several times Willie sent some guys home that didn’t have a prayer.
djsop
Wave em in Willie
HoDeeHum
Yeah. I think he was told to be more aggressive, or that he wasn’t aggressive enough last season. Nice dude and a great attitude, be good for young guys. Sox probably will find someone less qualified than him.
Drasco0366
Really has nothing to do with it. Counsell is building his coaching staff and getting rid of the guys he inherited.
mike127
Dras–guessing some of the guys Counsell wants weren’t available last season, but there is a lot to what Rondon says—
Cubs were second in runners being thrown out at home (surprisingly behind the Brewers) and only the Reds had more runners thrown out with a combo of runners being thrown out at third and home.
Some outs were probably “go on contact” philosophy, but there were enough cases of “you gotta be kidding me” to see that this split was somewhat likely.
Unclemike1525
You called it Mike. I’m a little surprised but not shocked. Counsell is obviously going to chase his old coaches. This could get interesting. Harris was very popular. Anybody see Ricketts pablum party line letter to the fans. I only paid for Marquee. Imagine how the Season ticket holders feel. By the way how DO you feel? You are one right?
mike127
Certainly not a badge of honor, Uncle—but to me, I thought this was going to happen about eight minutes after the last out (and maybe it did)….but this is one of those things that stuck out like improving the bullpen, getting a power bat or improving behind the plate. (Totally different impact, but seemed obvious—for the multitude of reasons)
Seemingly Hottovy has continued with the team–which I would be in favor of.
Now, let’s hear Bellinger’s decision and get on with the offseason.
Georgiajeff
The whole Bellinger thing is odd. If he stays he blocks guys from coming up. If he opts out it paves the way for someone like Cassie. Do you trade Horner? Would either Happ or Suzuki wave a trade clause? If Bellinger opts back in would you trade him?
Unclemike1525
I don’t think the Cubs need a power bat. You have Happ, Suzuki and Busch who are all capable of 25-30 HR’s. If Bellinger opts out or gets dealt then you have Suzuki back in right and maybe Ballesteros can move up and DH or somebody else. I don’t really see the need. Ricketts said in his letter that the Cubs FO has built a powerhouse development system. It’s time to find out. Stop paying for stuff you already have. I still say all they need is a proven closer and a solid SP. Yeah the kids might get that done but I’d feel better with another top notch starter and keep the kids on the phone in Iowa for this year. If they can steal a guy like Helsley or Bedard, They are relatively cheap options for this year but play for teams in the division. I don’t think teams care that much anymore but it is what it is. And maybe figure something out at C but I have no idea what to do there, I admit.
SeanStL
The farm team will still need a few years in the majors to become good. Meanwhile, you blow the window of opportunity that comes very rarely- young/cheap, controllable pitching. It’s unlikely Suzuki, Hap, and Busch all have great years at once. They proved it this year. They should get a consistent power hitter as the highest priority.
Drasco0366
He doesn’t really “block” anyone because neither Caissie or Alcantara looked ready offensively based off last season.
I’ll answer your questions, no, you absolutely do not deal Nico unless someone is willing to offer a kings ransom. Shaw has zero experience at the big league level and has played mostly third in the minors. Shaw isn’t “blocked” either, Counsell should be able to mix and match the infield enough to get him plenty of at bats.
Happ, PCA and Bellinger would be one of the best outfield trios on defense and pretty darn good offensively. Playing primarily the corner should help Bellinger stay a bit more health as well. Suzuki should be the primary DH.
Caissie needs to be moved to the 40 man (I believe) so he likely would be the next man up if there is an IL stint. Given Bellinger, Happ and Suzuki injury histories that seems likely.
A lot of Cubs fan seem blind to the shape of the franchise that looks great! Fans can complain about Hoyer and Counsell all they want but going into 23 we had question marks in the rotation, 3rd, 1st and center. Now we have long term solutions in every position. Weave the prospects in when you can and then you deal proven players for prospects. If Caissie comes up and does well, then you can move Bellinger, if Shaw plays well, then you can move Paredes or Hoerner. Cubs right now can operate Rays level, deal expensive players for prospects because the pipe line is deep.
CarolinaCubsandKush
Felt like the Cubs had to send every runner after a point when it became obvious the team couldn’t score by stringing hits together.
ray1
Always the coaching, never the front office or ownership.
Georgiajeff
Never
RogMcFish
Napoli seemed to me like a weird, strange dude, almost as weird as Tauchman.
King123
That’ll solve the issue.
Manfred Rob's Earth Band
Where is Wendell Kim when you need him?
robert-5
Wavin Willy will join Wavin Wendell in the unemployment line. You just can’t get that many guys thrown out at home when you’re the 3rd base coach. I know you want to score runs to win games, but you have to know that’s a metric by which your performance will be judged.
stymeedone
What matters more? The number of runners thrown out at home, or the number that scored? Seems it should be looked at as a percentage. Would you accept 5 being thrown out, if 20 extra scored? How bout 25? How bout 30? Any particular number of runners being thrown out at home is meaningless by itself. Has to be put in context.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
This isn’t surprising.
Oldguy58
Maybe part ways with Hoyer
mad1
Counsell is welcome to take any of his leftovers in milwaukee except pat murphy
SeanStL
Harris seemed to think you never stop at third base unless you’re sliding. Maybe because it seems there’s a 50% chance the next guy up was going to strike out anyway. It made the game exciting and I’ll be sad to see him go.