Brain power: increase.
According to multiple reports (Topkin, Heyman, Rosenthal), former Tampa Bay Rays bench coach (and former Cubs player) Dave Martinez will soon be new Chicago Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez. The Cubs have not yet confirmed.
While it seemed like something of a fait accompli when he didn’t get the managerial job in Tampa Bay, it was a bit of a process to bring Martinez on board to join his former manager, Joe Maddon, who now manages the Cubs. We’d recently heard that the Cubs would speak to Martinez. Must have gone well.
If Martinez joins the staff as bench coach, that leaves open the question of what happens to incumbent bench coach Brandon Hyde, who has held various positions in the Cubs’ organization. He could become the new third base coach, if Gary Jones departs, or he could be shifted to another executive or coaching role. Hyde is well-respected, so the ideal set-up here would have him remaining in the organization somehow. I imagine we’ll hear something final soon enough, and much of the recent waiting has been tied to Martinez.
Speaking of Martinez, it’s great to get Maddon’s long-time number two into the organization, and back with the Cubs. The two clearly work well together, and, hey, why mess with a good thing?