As we learned Monday, Joe Maddon is a very different man than his predecessor in the Cubs' managerial role, Rick Renteria.
As such, he might want to have different coaches than had been decided on by Renteria, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer in October, when it wasn't yet known that Maddon would become available to lead the Cubs in 2015 and beyond.
Here's a brief look at each of the Cubs' coaches still on staff and my strictly wild guess (in case you wonder how I came up with the numbers, that's exactly how) as to each man's chances of actually being in a Cubs uniform when spring training begins.
Chris Bosio, pitching coach
I doubt that it's a coincidence that Bosio was in attendance at the news conference Monday. Seems likely to me that he might have been involved in discussions with Theo, Jed and Joe prior to Maddon officially inking his deal. Bosio, hired before the 2012 season to be pitching coach under Dale Sveum, is highly regarded by just about everyone for doing excellent work with Jake Arrieta and the bullpen triumvirate of Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Neil Ramirez. I don't have any doubt he'll be back.
Estimated chance of staying: 100%
Gary Jones, third-base coach
One of the easiest ways to evaluate a third-base coach is to think, "How many times did I hear this guy's name in a negative context? Did he send runners to their doom at the plate?" I don't recall hearing this about Jones at all in 2014. He seemed to do a pretty good job. That said, Jones appears to have been hired because of his connection with Rick Renteria; the two coached together in the San Diego organization from 2008-13. Jones also served as infield coach. It seems quite possible that Maddon will want someone else for these positions.
Estimated chance of staying: 50%
Brandon Hyde, bench coach
Hyde has had a fairly long career as a minor-league coach and manager, but his only major-league bench experience before 2014 was as bench coach for the Marlins in 2010 and 2011 and a short stint as their interim manager. He appears to have been given the bench-coach job under Rick Renteria as a liaison between the field job and the front office; he was director of player development before that. I'm almost certain Joe Maddon will want someone else as his bench coach and Hyde will return to a front-office job.
Estimated chance of staying: zero
Mike Borzello, catching coach
According to the Rays' coaching staff list, they didn't have anyone in this position. Borzello's Cubs website bio says he also is "involved in the advance scouting process." I'd think Maddon might like having someone in this position, although it's possible Borzello could also be reassigned to other duties.
Estimated chance of staying: 50%
Lester Strode, bullpen coach
Strode has been in the organization for 26 years and has been the team's bullpen coach through four different managerial regimes -- he started in that role in 2007 under Lou Piniella after a long run as a pitching coach and coordinator in the Cubs' minor-league system. By all accounts Strode is a good guy and well-respected in his role. Maddon says he can get along with anyone. I think Strode will stay.
Estimated chance of staying: 100%
John Mallee, hitting coach
Mallee was just hired. It would be extremely odd for the Cubs to let him go before he ever wore the uniform. I'd think Maddon would give Mallee a chance to show what he can do for one year, at least, especially considering Mallee got a lot of credit for helping a young Astros team advance hitting-wise in 2014.
Estimated chance of staying: 100%
Doug Dascenzo, first-base coach
Same thing for Dascenzo -- as he was just hired, he'll almost certainly be given a chance to show what he can do. He's also expected to be baserunning coach, something the Cubs could very much use.
Estimated chance of staying: 100%
Eric Hinske, assistant hitting coach
Hinske is in an odd spot. "Assistant hitting coach" would seem to me to be somewhat of a demotion from first-base coach, which was Hinske's job in 2014. He reportedly turned down an offer to be Yankees hitting coach, which you'd think would be a better position than being someone else's assistant.
That said, it doesn't seem too likely that Maddon would go out of his way to replace an assistant hitting coach. But you never know.
Estimated chance of staying: 75%
So, in all, it would appear that Maddon will bring in his own bench coach and perhaps a third-base coach more in tune with his philosophy of managing than Rick Renteria's. Could he bring his Rays bench coach Dave Martinez over from Tampa Bay? Possibly, if Martinez doesn't succeed Maddon as Rays manager. Other than that, especially after hearing Maddon speak during his introductory news conference, I wouldn't want to begin to guess who his hires might be. He's an unorthodox man and he might very well make an unorthodox choice or two.
As always, we await developments.