The Cubs introduced David Ross as their new manager on Monday and overall the press conference was pretty bland. If you were playing a drinking game and had to drink every time the word “accountable” or “accountability” was used, then you’re probably in for a nasty hangover. Anyway, we did learn one thing and it’s not all that surprising.

We all know that Ross is coming in with no prior MLB coaching experience, although he did dabble in some coaching during previous spring trainings, so the Cubs are planning to bring in someone who has plenty of experience either as a manager or bench coach to help out Ross.

Last offseason the Cubs had their third pair of new hitting and pitching coaches in as many seasons, so it’s a safe bet that there won’t be a fourth straight year of changes. Anthony Iapoce and Tommy Hottovy should return in 2020. But everyone else? I guess at this point those jobs aren’t set in stone and it especially sounds like Mark Loretta, the current bench coach, might be the first to get replaced. This past season was Loretta’s first as a coach in MLB.

So, who are some veteran coaches available? This is purely speculation on my part and I’m really just connecting the dots on who Ross previously played for and who’s looking for a job.

John Farrell

John Farrell’s been on the coaching side of baseball since 1997, when he joined Oklahoma State’s staff. After five years at his alma mater, Farrell served as Cleveland’s director of player development and after 2006 he was hired as Boston’s new pitching coach. After four seasons with the Red Sox, Farrell got his first manager gig with the Blue Jays, but he was let go after only two seasons. He returned to Boston and was the Red Sox manager from 2013-17, winning the World Series in 2013. Ross played for Farrell in 2013-14.

Farrell has been working as a scout for the Reds since March 2018.

Fredi González

Fredi González has been coaching since the early 90s in the Marlins organization, beginning in the minors to his first MLB job as their third base coach. He then moved on to coach with Braves starting again in the minors in 2002 and then in the majors from 2003-06. After the Marlins fired Joe Girardi following the 2006 season, González was hired as the Marlins new manager. He was fired halfway through his fourth season, but quickly landed on his feet and was hired by the Braves after 2010, replacing Bobby Cox, who retired, as Atlanta’s manager.

González managed the Braves from 2011-16, fired in May of 2016. He once again returned to the Marlins and was their third base coach for the past three seasons. Ross played for González in Atlanta from 2011-12.

Jim Riggleman

Jim Riggleman has been coaching or managing in the big leagues since 1989. He’s been on a coaching staff with the Cardinals, Indians, Dodgers, Mariners, Nationals, Reds and Mets, while being an interim or full-time manager of the Padres, Cubs, Mariners, Nationals and Reds. From 2001-04, Riggleman was the Dodgers bench coach. Ross played the first three years of his career with the Dodgers. (2002-04)

Dusty Baker

Nah.