The Cubs are going to be adding Jose Javier to their coaching staff, per a report from Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. He will take over as first base coach, replacing Mike Napoli, who was let go at the end of the 2024 season.
Javier, 32, has spent most of his adult life in the Yankees’ system. As a player, he was in their minor leagues from 2010 to 2015 but never reached higher than the Single-A level. When his playing days ended, he moved into coaching, sticking with the Yankees and working in their minor league system.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell has been overhauling his coaching staff for next year. Early in October, the club parted ways with Napoli, assistant hitting coach Jim Adduci and bullpen coach Darren Holmes, then also parted with third base coach Willie Harris a few days later. All but Holmes were with the Cubs prior to Counsell being hired going into the 2024 season. Assistant pitching coach Daniel Moskos was later poached by the Marlins to be their pitching coach.
Casey Jacobson was promoted to replace Moskos. Quintin Berry is reportedly taking over at third for the Cubs and now Javier will take up a spot across the diamond from him. The club hasn’t yet announced its full coaching staff and it hasn’t been publicly reported who will take the remaining vacancies.