The Cubs are conducting a first round of interviews this week to replace former hitting coach Anthony Iapoce in a process that has the potential to move quickly now that a general manager has been hired and with the annual GM meetings three weeks away.
Iapoce, who returned to the organization to replace Chili Davis three years ago to work with a hitting core he previously had in the minors, is one of two coaching-staff departures since that core was traded away and the season ended with the Cubs’ first losing record in seven years.
Strategist Mike Borzello, whose areas of responsibility included catching and pitching infrastructure during his decade on the coaching staff, also will be replaced — though exactly how is in some flux.
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“We’re probably going to reimagine some things,” team president Jed Hoyer said of that position.
Whether the Cubs have a third coaching position to backfill is uncertain as well. At least one coach on the staff has been granted permission to interview for a coaching job with another organization, Hoyer said.
In other personnel news, the Cubs made a series of minor roster moves Monday:
- Erick Castillo and Tyler Payne, two of the franchise-record nine catchers used by the club this year, were designated for assignment.
- Three players who were activated the final week fo the season during the team’s COVID-19 outbreak were removed from the 40-man roster and returned to the minors: Johneshwy Fargas, Tyler Ladendorf and Joe Biagini.
- Four players who were on that COVID-19 injured list were reinstated: David Bote, Tommy Nance, Austin Romine and Nick Martini.
- Left-hander Brad Wieck (irregular heartbeat) was reinstated from the 60-day IL.
