Craig Counsell Could Lose Top Assistant on Cubs Coaching Staff

The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde earlier in May and according to an MLB insider current Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty will be the leading candidate to become Baltimore’s new skipper in 2026.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale revealed on Sunday that Craig Counsell’s top assistant on the Cubs coaching staff is being strongly considered by the Orioles for their managerial position if they do conduct a full search following the 2025 season. Tony Mansolino is currently the interim manager for the Orioles.

Via USA Today.

If the Orioles change managers again in the offseason, the leading candidate will be Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, who played six years for the Orioles and nearly landed the Padres’ manager gig two years ago.

Coincidentally, after the 2018 season the Orioles hired Hyde to become their new manager after Hyde spent five years as a coach with the Cubs. Hyde’s time on the north side of Chicago included being a bench coach under two managers, Rick Renteria in 2014, and Joe Maddon in 2018. Hyde was also the Cubs’ first base coach from 2015-17.

As for Flaherty, he obviously has familiarity with the Orioles’ organization. He began his MLB career in Baltimore, making his big-league debut in 2012, after the Orioles selected him in the Rule 5 Draft from the Cubs. Flaherty played in 452 games with the Orioles from 2012-117, before playing the final two years of his MLB career with the Atlanta Braves in 2018, and Cleveland Indians in 2019.

Following his playing days, Flaherty joined the San Diego Padres organization as an advanced scout and development coach. He briefly served as the acting manager during the 2022 season, when Bob Melvin missed time in COVID-19 protocols. Then, Flaherty was promoted to bench coach for the 2023 season by the Padres.

Counsell added Flaherty to his coaching staff in his first season as Cubs manager in 2024. Flaherty replaced former Cubs bench coach Andy Green, who departed from Chicago after Counsell replaced David Ross.

Interestingly enough, before Flaherty came to the Cubs he was a finalist to for the Padres’ manager gig that was ultimately given to Mike Shildt. According to a report from The Athletic, some front office members and players in San Diego preferred Flaherty over the former St. Louis Cardinals manager.

The Cubs will certainly not hold Flaherty back if the Orioles are interested in him following this season and by the sound of it he’s their No. 1 candidate.

If Flaherty does end up getting the job in Baltimore, he’ll be set up in a much better position than Hyde, who took over a rebuilding club in 2019. Despite the struggles so far in 2025, the Orioles have a lot of young talent at their disposal and remains a good destination for potential managers.