A couple weeks after rumors broke that the Cubs would be losing their one-year pitching coach (after having already parted ways with their one-year hitting coach), the team has now confirmed:
Jim Hickey has stepped down as #Cubs pitching coach for personal reasons. pic.twitter.com/XkgOATTlvL
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 20, 2018
It’s hard to say what underlies this decision (for Hickey and/or for the Cubs), but with the late stage in the offseason (for coaching purposes), and a manager under contract for just one year, the Cubs won’t exactly have the pick of the litter on the coaching front. Hopefully they can find someone who will incorporate well into the existing pitching infrastructure, so he won’t be starting entirely from scratch. But with so many questions in the bullpen and starters needing to bounce back … yes, let’s hope it’s someone who meshes well with the staff, and quickly.
As for Hickey, he was the pitching coach for just one year, after coming over from Tampa Bay, where he was highly regarded and worked for a long time under Joe Maddon. Perhaps eventually we’ll get more details, but for now, we’ll wish Hickey well.