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.”
Willie willing to be the White Sox manager is so nice of him. He must really be a masochist to want to be anywhere near the White Sox. Meh, if he does get the job, I would be indifferent really.
Totally expected. Maybe Harris throws his hat into the ring for the White Sox job.
If Willie wants that torture, more power to him.
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.
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.
Wave em in Willie
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.
Really has nothing to do with it. Counsell is building his coaching staff and getting rid of the guys he inherited.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
mike127… Here here! No consistency in the power dept. And no closer killed em.
You want a bunch of stuff with no money if Bellinger opts in. You want a SP, Bullpen guys, Power bat and a C. You only have Smyly and Hendricks coming off plus the bad contracts that finally expired. You’ve got Nico getting a 7 or 8 million dollar raise, Arbitration raises and the Cubs have made it obvious they want to be Tax compliant team. Steele’s getting a raise, Hodge, Pearson Too. If you want the good stuff you have to cut. Getting rid of salary and eating salary to do that is just dumb. Sooner or later you just have to let it play out and let deals expire. That’s the mistakes Hoyer made. He has to live with them until 2026 or make a bad situation worse. The smart thing is to make the pitching dominant and hope the offense is good enough.
Cubs don’t need a “bunch of stuff”.
Cubs don’t need a power bat. Cubs don’t need a catcher. Cubs pitching staff is fine. All the Cubs need to do is make some minor tweaks. Bullpen and bench.
Now if I were the Cubs, I would look at trading Taillon and there is a laundry list of non-tender guys. Cubs have 140 or so committed not counting the arbitration raises but aside from Steele, none are going to hurt all that badly. Almonte and Azolay are non-tender candidates as is Wisdom, Madrigal, Mastrobouni. Tauchman I would trade and use Canario and Shaw as my primary bench pieces along with a catcher. Hodge is not arbitration eligible.
Happ and Suzuki both had years that have been pretty consistent with their previous years and Busch was a rookie.
The Cubs farm is already reaping what they sowed in PCA and Amaya as well as a couple young arms.
As much as a “consistent” power hitter would be nice, it’s not that big of a need. The Cubs were fine outside of their bullpen to start the year and their depth. The bench killed them because they basically got nothing out of any of them when they played (aside from CB). Cubs have no heavy lifting to do. They can ease their kids in which I expect them to do this coming season. Caisse and Shaw (I expect Alcantara to be traded) are to be expected. Horton is a possibility as well.
It does look like the Cubs were 12 in runs scored, and just ahead of Royals, Guardians, and Braves. However, they just weren’t consistent. I think they could make the playoffs with basically the same team, but it’s a toss up. A consistent hitter would be helpful. With no room for 8 top 100 players mostly into their 20’s, they should be looking to trade for a big bat or pitcher. Then get the other one from free agency.
I actually do thinkbthey move Hoerner this winter. Make room for Matt Shaw to play the keystone. He doesn’t have the arm strength for 3B.
Of course Shaw has zero experience in the majors. That said called being a rookie! Everybody has to start somewhere. And a “king’s ransom “for Nico? Pass whatever you’re smoking over to me, will ya? But you should get a starting pitcher for him. All while opening up a spot for ßhaw. He has to play 2nd if he’s going to be of value defensively.
They need a damn closer! But Hoyer is dead set on pushing Hodge for the job. Nothing against Hodge – he looked good – but I’d rather have someone experienced.
They absolutely need a 5-6 WAR bat in the middle of that lineup. Not having one is how your entire offense slumps for 2 months and you repeat the same mediocre record with the same mediocre plan. It won’t work next year either.
Exactly how many 5-6 WAR bats are available? Either by trade or FA? If you sign Pete Alonso you’ll regret it and if the wind blows in at Wrigley I don’t give crap who you are you’re not hitting it out. Plus you have ZERO flexibility to add bats. Like it or not, You’re stuck with what you have. You don’t NEED to hit HR’s to score runs. But you better be good situational hitters. Hoyer has cast the die until 2026 with the bats. His contracts are poison with opt outs and NMC’s. There is nothing to be done but wish for better times without eating more dead money, Which we’ve all seen how that can cripple a Tax team. If a 5-6 War bat is available he is so overpriced nobody can afford him.
A large part of their inconsistency was/is due to their pathetic bench.
Early in the season Bellinger and Suzuki were on the IL/banged up at the same time Happ was dealing with a hamstring issue. Tauchman was struggling badly, Happ was playing hurt and ineffective and their rookies were not hitting. Same thing in the middle infield, both Nico and Swanson were banged up and playing injured but them being ineffective was still a better option than Madrgial and Mastrobuoni (and Wisdom).
That’s great stuff, Shaw doesn’t have the arm strength to play third…. And Madrigal had a whip? Madrigal bounced every throw and still played excellent defense at the hot corner.
Also, not sure if you’ve noticed but they kind of banned the shift and having the best defensive second baseman in the league is kind of a big deal.
Yes, a kings ransom for Hoerner. I understand the finer points about baseball go completely over your head but Nico is the best defender at second base in the league, has great contact skills, is one of the fastest guys in baseball and has excellent base running abilities. Nico, over the past 3 seasons has posted a 4.2, 5.1 and a 3.7 bWAR. He also was banged up early in the year this past season.
What “dead money”? Literally every player on the offensive side of the ball are earning their contracts aside from Bellinger but Bellinger also was dealing with a broken rib early on that sapped a lot of power (reasonable assumption given that during “peak power” months Bellie only hit two home runs).
Cubs are in a really good position assuming PCA and Amaya’s second half adjustments are for real. If they, plus Nico and Swanson, who were also banged up early, hit at all in the first half the Cubs likely would have made the playoffs.
I was talking about the dead money they were paying because of Mancini and the rest that they were paying guys to play elsewhere. If you want to trade Tallion or Suzuki you’re probably going to have to eat some it. The only thing dumber than handing out NMC’s and opt outs is paying people NOT to play here anymore. And I have absolutely no idea why you constantly want to trade Tallion. He’s earning his money and you just have to replace him anyway and that’s gonna cost you. He’s earning his money.
Hoyer had the pieces to get Soto, current roster be damned, and THAT’s the level player they needed (need) in that lineup.
I like Taillon but imo if you can trade him, move the money and add some prospects, then use that money to add a true TOR starter it’s win/win. I’m perfectly happy with Steele, Imanaga, Taillon, Assad and something in the five hole (we have a ton) but I’m more happy if we can add a Burnes/Fried type vs Taillon and you constantly have to weigh budget and as you mentioned, we have guys who are signed who cannot or would be more difficult to move.
I disagree you would have to eat money to move either Taillion or Suzuki. You can move either or both and get something real in return without eating money. Look at recent deals and look at their contracts. Taillon is a value and so is Suzuki. Suzuki actually offensively is one of the better outfielders in the league. We complain because we as older fans believe a guy should hit 30+ bombs from the corner but that isn’t the reality anymore.
You and I have similar outlooks but different ways of going about it. I’m fine with moving above average talent for elite talent at more money. If Taillon makes 17, and we are working on a budget, move him and sign an elite pitcher for more. I’m good with Taillon starting game 3/4 of a playoff series but I’d rather have Burnes start game one or two. If the net difference is 13 million then I’m all in on Burnes and training Taillon and still having money to address other needs.
The entire time we had Q I was about trading him. It wasn’t Q was a bad pitcher or not valuable, it was because he was good and valuable but not as good as Hamels. Once we re-signed Hamels, Quintana should have been moved to offset money and add depth to the farm. That’s how dynasties are made.
I’m not mad at Epstein, he did what people have been trying to do for over 100 years and failed but he let his ego get in the way of a destiny. He wanted not to break a 100 year curse again but to win back to back. Trading Soler, Cease, Jimenez and others for shorter term goals was a mistake. 2017 should have been a house money reset (IMO) with the focus on doing what the Giants did (3 World Series in 5 years).
Well, If that guy is right, And the Cubs have 70 million even IF Bellinger opts in then they have plenty of money to sign Burnes and keep Tallion and then look at flipping Tallion at the deadline in 2026 when one of the kids steps up. But IDK, That 70 seems high to me. Even if Hoyer loses all his pets ( And that’s a big if) and goes with kids to make 70, Then that’s exactly what needs to happen.
It’s my opinion, of course, but I bring up Canario to take over as the outfield back up and Shaw for infield. I think Shaw can get plenty of reps as a back up/situational/rotational piece. If any serious injury happens, bring up Caisse in the outfield to get his taste.
Forget dumping 10s of million on backups. Get a competent back up catcher, CB filled the role well, or trade for a long term solution with a higher ceiling than Amaya. Amaya impressed me with his adjustments so I would roll with him but I’m not a baseball expert. For the additional bench piece I would have a weapon.. likely a base stealing weapon that can play multiple positions in a pinch but would be the first guy optioned in the event of a serious injury.
I don’t know the actual budget but I think signing a high leverage reliever, improving the floor of starting pitching and leaving 10 million in slush would be the goal for the off season.
As I said, I’m high on the team.
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.
Always the coaching, never the front office or ownership.
Never
Ever.
Napoli seemed to me like a weird, strange dude, almost as weird as Tauchman.
That’ll solve the issue.
Where is Wendell Kim when you need him?
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.
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.
This isn’t surprising.
Maybe part ways with Hoyer
Counsell is welcome to take any of his leftovers in milwaukee except pat murphy
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.
Apparently nobody gets fired anymore. They just “part ways” amicably.
Yes, it is always the 3rd base coach who is to blame, or the bullpen catcher. These gentlemen are such integral parts of the day to day running of the ball club. They usually handle contracts, player development, endorsement deals and teaching new hitting techniques. Or am I confusing them with upper management and they are the ones who sit around the managers office smoking cigars and scratching their balls? Really? Dumping a third base coach, that’s pretty lame.
Craig Counsell is still the savior!
Nothing’s gonna stop us now!
Padres! Lol!