Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Although the Cubs haven’t made any major moves to their roster this offseason the front office has been tasked with replacing a big portion of Joe Maddon’s coaching staff. That is now almost complete as various reports have the Cubs finally finding a replacement for Andy Haines, who was the team’s assistant hitting coach in 2018.
Haines joined the Brewers this offseason, getting a promotion to be their new hitting coach. Former Expos, Nationals and Padres player Terrmel Sledge will now be the Cubs’ new assistant hitting coach, working alongside Anthony Iapoce, the team’s new hitting coach in 2019.
Sources: The Cubs are planning to add Terrmel Sledge to Joe Maddon’s staff as the assistant hitting coach. Sledge worked in the Cubs’ farm system (2015) and as a Double-A hitting coach for the Dodgers (2016-18). After his big-league career, Sledge played with Yu Darvish in Japan.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) November 29, 2018
Can confirm @PJ_Mooney's report that the Cubs plan on hiring Terrmel Sledge as their new assistant hitting coach. Cubs were in need of a replacement for Andy Haines, who took over the main HC job in Milwaukee.
Cubs staff still incomplete. Search for new pitching coach ongoing.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) November 29, 2018
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
As Jordan Bastian pointed out, the Cubs’ staff is still missing a pitching coach. Recent reports have pegged Tommy Hottovy as the favorite to take over after Jim Hickey stepped down because of personal reasons earlier this month.
Back to Terrmel Sledge. First of all, what an awesome name. Second, his hiring continues a trend for the new coaches brought in by the team this offseason. Familiarity. Sledge previously worked in the Cubs organization in 2015, when he was a hitting instructor for the Eugene Emeralds at A-ball.
Iapoce, who was brought in from the Rangers to replace hitting coach Chili Davis, also had prior experience with the Cubs as their minor league hitting coordinator before he became the hitting coach for the Rangers in 2016.
It’s evident that the Cubs want coaches who are somewhat familiar to the organization. Hottovy, who despite not having much coaching experience, has been working with the club’s scouting department for a few years and is seen as the frontrunner to become the pitching coach at age 37.
Sledge is 41-years-old, while Iapoce is 45, taking over Davis’ spot after he was fired following just one season with the Cubs. Davis, 58, is reportedly heading to the Mets to become their hitting coach.
The Cubs are also considering adding Chris Denorfia to Maddon’s coaching staff for the 2019 season. He last played in the majors with the Cubs in 2015 and spent 2018 as a special assistant to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. Denorfia is 38-years-old.
Sledge played in 291 MLB games from 2004-07 and has the unfortunate distinction as the first position player suspended for steroids in baseball. After 2007, Sledge signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional League in Japan. The former outfielder played five years in Japan and was a teammate of Yu Darvish for a couple seasons before he retired at the end 2012.
