According to Sahadev Sharma of the Athletic, the Cubs have hired Darren Holmes as bullpen coach and Mark Strittmatter as catching coach. These are likely to be the final two hires for Craig Counsell’s inaugural team in Chicago.
After four years in Baltimore, Holmes joins the organisation. The Orioles initially hired him as a bullpen coach for the 2020 season. He was elevated to assistant pitching coach the following winter.
Holmes served in that capacity for three seasons under Chris Holt before Baltimore switched pitching coaches in October. Holt was reassigned to an administrative position inside the organisation, while Holmes left entirely.
Holmes, 57, spent 13 seasons in the major leagues as a reliever. He was the bullpen coach in Colorado for five seasons before to his stay in Baltimore. He’ll be joining a relief corps led by Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather, and Mark Leiter Jr.
Last season, Chicago relievers finished 13th in ERA (3.85). They were fourth in strikeout rate (26%) but issued walks at an 11% clip, which was only slightly lower than a rebuilding A’s club’s 12% mark.
Strittmatter, 54, has spent nearly two decades working with catchers in the Rockies organisation. He worked on a big league staff before becoming the minor league catching coordinator in 2013. Strittmatter briefly played in the main leagues in 1998.
Sharma mentions that the Cubs are anticipated to disclose the whole coaching staff soon. On the offensive side, Holmes and Strittmatter will join previously announced hires such as Ryan Flaherty as bench coach, returnee Dusty Kelly (hitting coach), and newcomer John Mallee (assistant hitting coach).
Tommy Hottovy and Danny Hultzen are returned as the pitching coach’s lead and assistant, respectively. The base coaches will be Mike Napoli and Willie Harris.
