Cubs Sign New third base coach after departure of Willie Harris

The Chicago Cubs are making changes to their coaching staff as they prepare for the 2025 season.

In addition to the earlier departures of first-base coach Mike Napoli, assistant hitting coach Jim Adduci, and bullpen coach Darren Holmes, the team has now parted ways with third-base coach Willie Harris.

This development suggests that the Cubs will be working with an even more revamped coaching lineup next year.

It appears that the decision to part ways with Harris stems from differing viewpoints between him and manager Craig Counsell regarding the future direction of the third-base coaching role.

While there’s no clear indication of tension, it’s likely a mutual decision, with both Harris and the team opting for a change.

As Bruce Levine reported, it seems to be a straightforward case of “parting ways,” rather than a reflection of poor performance or issues within the team.

With Counsell still fairly new to his role, having been hired during the 2024 season, many expected that he would gradually bring in his own coaching staff as he settled into his position.

Given the timing of his hire, Counsell didn’t have much opportunity to make significant coaching changes last year, but 2025 is shaping up to be a time of transition for the Cubs’ bench.

It wouldn’t be surprising if more changes are made, possibly affecting other key figures such as bench coach Ryan Flaherty.

Ultimately, the Cubs seem to be shaping their coaching staff to align more closely with Counsell’s vision and managerial style.

By making these adjustments, the team hopes to better execute their game plans and strategies moving forward.

As always, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how these developments will impact the Cubs’ performance in the coming season.