The staff under Counsell will have a slightly new look to it come Opening Day 2026. Michael Reaves / Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs are still planning to bring back most of Craig Counsell’s coaches next season, league sources told The Athletic on Wednesday, though the staff will evolve with at least one departure from a group that was widely credited for the team’s attention to detail.
Alex Smith, a major-league coach who joined the Cubs in 2015, has left the organization to become the vice president of baseball strategy for the Detroit Tigers. Smith helped oversee the club’s data development and process of sharing information, working well with both Counsell and former Cubs manager David Ross across the past three seasons.
With multiple manager searches still ongoing, the Cubs have been waiting to see what happens with Ryan Flaherty, Counsell’s bench coach for the last two seasons. During this hiring cycle, Flaherty has been linked to a few openings, including jobs with the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres.
Smith, 32, played baseball at Cornell University and started his career at a time the Cubs employed several young staffers who would later reunite in Detroit. Tigers officials who previously worked at Wrigley Field include president of baseball operations Scott Harris, general manager Jeff Greenberg and director of player development Shane Farrell.
Top MLB StoriesSmith, who maintained a steady presence on the field and in the clubhouse as part of the Cubs’ uniformed personnel, will now work in Detroit’s front office.
During his end-of-season briefing with the Chicago media, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer signaled that the entire major-league coaching staff would be offered a chance to return next year. Hoyer also acknowledged his expectation that rival clubs would request permission to interview certain employees for various jobs.
“You never want to lose anyone,” Hoyer said, “but you also want people to be able to continue to advance, and we may not have those roles available.”
Even before the end of the regular season, the Cubs engaged in extension talks to solidify the coaching staff for 2026. The club values the continuity of a hitting group that includes Dustin Kelly, John Mallee and Juan Cabreja. On the pitching side, Tommy Hottovy has worked for three different managers in Chicago.
In qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in five years, and winning a postseason round for the first time since 2017, the Cubs developed a team identity built around pitching and defense. The working environment in their clubhouse was focused and professional.
During the regular season, only four teams scored more runs than the Cubs, and only six teams allowed fewer runs, an overall performance that left the coaching staff with a ringing endorsement.
“They were really well-prepared,” Hoyer said, “and we have a really diligent player group, so I think the combination of those two things was really good. (It’s) every day knowing that they’re trying to find the little edges that may win a game. Whether that’s a base-running thing, whether that’s a tip on a pitcher or any of those things that you’re looking for, I thought those guys, the whole year, they never slowed down.”
