Jose Javier Hired as Cubs First-Base Coach

Jose Javier, a former minor-league coach for the New York Yankees, has been hired as the Chicago Cubs' new first-base coach, marking a significant addition to manager Craig Counsell's revamped coaching staff. Javier, 32, has spent the past two seasons focusing on outfield defense and baserunning at the Yankees' Triple-A level and has a reputation for developing talent, which the Cubs are keen to leverage. His hiring follows the dismissal of former Cub first-base coach Mike Napoli and is part of a broader strategy by the Cubs to enhance their coaching roster, which includes the recent hiring of Quintin Berry as third-base coach. Javier's experience and youth are seen as beneficial for relating to the Cubs' younger players, complementing a trend towards hiring younger coaches. The Cubs are motivated to maximize their top-rated farm system, which features several promising prospects, and Javier's expertise is expected to facilitate that goal. This transition also underscores the Yankees' ongoing ability to produce both major-league players and coaching talent, as they continue to influence other teams in the league.