According to the Chicago Sun-Times, new manager Dale Svuem opted to keep hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo on his staff. The Cubs signed Jarmillo to a 3 year contract worth 2.42 million in 2008. 2012 will be Jaramillo’s last year under contract. Before the Cubs signed Jaramillo in 2008, Jaramillo was with the Texas Rangers. When Jarmillo came over to the Cubs, he was said to be the best hitting coach in the league. That’s the main reason the Cubs signed him because of their hitting issues. However, since Jaramillo came over to the Cubs, the players can’t hit with runners in scoring position and he’s not helping the team too much. If the Cubs struggled with the bats in 2012, you can bet Jarmillo will not be the hitting coach going forward. Jaramillo said he’s happy to be back and on Svuem’s staff.
The same does not go for Ivan DeJesus and Bobby Dernier…Sveum informed both of them that they will not be on his staff entering the 2012 season. DeJesus was the Cubs 3rd base coach in 2012, before that he was the 1st base coach and a special assistant to ex Cub manager Lou Piniella. DeJesus was switched across the diamond to the 3rd base side in awake of Bobby Dernier. Dernier was named the Cubs 1st base coach in 2010, before that he was the minor league coordinator for the outfield and baserunning. He was the coordinator from 2007-2010.
In awake of that news, Sveum is expected to keep bench coach Pat Listach and bullpen coach Lester Strode. Listach and Svuem are close friends, so that was an obvious choice to keep on.
Finally, what is going to happen to the pitching coach Mark Riggins? We still don’t know yet. However, Svuem and Riggins did talk over the weekend and are expected to talk soon. I think Svuem should let Riggins go, but the feeling is Sveum will keep Riggins on. It’s more of mix reviews right now.
As it seems, Sveum will have to look for a new 1st and 3rd base coach and maybe a new pitching coach. The coaching staff is expected to be finalize a little over Thanksgiving, so more likely next week.