The Chicago Cubs are continuing their overhaul, with former Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli being let go as part of the changes.
Following another disappointing season, the Cubs have made several staff adjustments, according to multiple reports. Napoli, who served as the team’s first base coach, was one of three coaches dismissed, as reported by The Athletic.
These changes are not entirely unexpected, especially since the Cubs have missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. Although they finished with a winning record (83-79 for the second year in a row), they are entering their first full offseason with Craig Counsell at the helm, after signing him to a significant contract last offseason. Counsell is likely to want to bring in some of his own staff. Napoli joined the Cubs as a quality assurance coach before being promoted to first base coach in 2022.
Napoli, who won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2013, has been part of the Cubs organization since the 2020 season.
Napoli was well-regarded during his playing days and with stops in four different cities, he probably should get another crack at a coaching gif if he wants it. It would be interesting to see if the Red Sox might have a role for Napoli. Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was part of that Chicago front office that hired Napoli in 2020, and he also played with the slugger as part of that 2013 Sox team that won the World Series. Breslow and manager Alex Cora wouldn’t say Monday whether there would be changes to the Red Sox coaching staff moving forward.
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