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For those of you who were concerned that the Cubs weren't moving quickly enough to name a coaching staff, the staff was completed Friday:
#Cubs name coaching staff. Bosio, Strode, Borzello, Font return. Hyde will be bench coach, Mueller hitting coach, Brumley asst hitting coach
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) November 22, 2013
The hiring of Bill Mueller was previously rumored, and seemed likely to take place, as was the return of Chris Bosio, Lester Strode, Mike Borzello and Franklin Font.
The hire of Brandon Hyde as bench coach seems somewhat odd, given his previous position:
Jaron Madison, who joined #Cubs as director of amateur scouting, takes over as head of player development, replacing Brandon Hyde
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) November 22, 2013
Hyde has been a manager in the Marlins' minor-league system, serving in that capacity from 2005 through 2009; he has half a season's worth of experience as a major-league bench coach, under manager Edwin Rodriguez for the Marlins in 2011. But that's his only big-league coaching experience; often, teams will hire experienced coaches or managers for positions like this. Here is some additional information:
More Cub hirings: Jose Castro quality assurance coach, holdovers are Chris Bosio for pitching, Strode (bullpen), Borzello and Font
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) November 22, 2013
Previously, Gary Jones was hired as third-base coach; that leaves one more opening, for first-base coach. Mike Brumley played briefly for the Cubs in 1987 and has minor-league managing experience. Since 2010 he's been the first-base coach for the Seattle Mariners.
Instant reaction: This seems to be a coaching staff with almost as little experience as the one that came on board with Mike Quade in 2011. Let's hope these guys do better.