The Chicago Cubs have fired pitching coach Chris Bosio according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
The #Cubs have fired respected pitching coach Chris Bosio, and now could reach out to Jim Hickey,who's a top candidate for #STLCards opening
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 21, 2017
Bosio was with the Cubs since 2012.
On Friday, Theo Epstein told the media that manager Joe Maddon would have every coach back that he wanted and it’s now official that the pitching coach isn’t one of them.
With the Washington Nationals decision not to bring back Dusty Baker as manager, one intriguing option to replace Bosio is Mike Maddux.
The #Nats coaching staff now hits free agent market, and pitching coach Mike Maddux becomes hottest commodity on market
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 20, 2017
One of the biggest issues for the Cubs this year out of the bullpen was the walk rate, which Epstein mentioned during his session with the media on Friday. No doubt the Cubs will have a few new pitchers, but now they’ll have a new pitching coach as well.
Maddon could also go to his pitching coach from the Tampa Bay Rays, Jim Hickey.
The #Cubs have fired respected pitching coach Chris Bosio, and now could reach out to Jim Hickey,who's a top candidate for #STLCards opening
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 21, 2017
Hickey took over as Tampa Bay’s pitching coach after the 2006 season. Before his tenure with the Rays, Hickey was the Houston Astros pitching coach, taking over duties in July 2004. The next year, the Astros won the National League pennant.
