Cubs part ways with notable member of coaching staff

Cubs bench coach Andy Green won’t be back with the team in 2024, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Green was “dismissed.”  It isn’t known exactly when Green was let go, yet Chicago has already started looking for a replacement, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Marlins first base coach Jon Jay received an interview but won’t be hired.

The somewhat under-the-radar nature of Green’s firing is a little surprising, but in the bigger picture, a change of bench coach commonly coincides with the hiring of a new manager.  With Craig Counsell now running the Cubs’ dugout, it makes sense that he would get some say in picking and choosing his staff — particularly at bench coach since the role usually serves as the manager’s top lieutenant.  For instance, Green was one of David Ross’ first hires when Ross became the Cubs’ manager during the 2019-20 offseason.

Beyond his four years of experience as Chicago’s bench coach, Green is best known for his four-year stint as the Padres’ manager from 2016-19.  San Diego didn’t have any winning seasons during Green’s tenure, though the Padres were rebuilding during the first few of those years before expectations were raised after the Manny Machado signing.  The lack of success with the Friars didn’t entirely dim Green’s prospects as a skipper, since he interviewed with both the Mets and Guardians just this winter about managerial vacancies.

The 38-year-old Jay only just retired in April 2022, hanging up his cleats after 12 MLB seasons (which included a stop with the Cubs in 2017).  It didn’t take long for Jay to jump back into the game, however, as Jay was named Miami’s first base coach shortly after ex-teammate Skip Schumaker become the Marlins’ manager last year.  Jay has been cited as a potential future managerial candidate himself, as he fits the trend of clubs looking to hire younger managers more recently removed from their playing careers.