With zero focus on high-profile player acquisitions this winter, the Cubs focused on making improvements to their coaching infrastructure across all levels of the organization. Much of that was necessitated by the decision to part ways with Joe Maddon, which begat a natural attrition of coaches, but this wasn’t just a matter of replacing open positions. The Cubs actively sought out new methods and skilled practitioners of their respective crafts who could have a meaningful impact in short order.
Enter Craig Driver, the new first base coach and catching instructor with an excellent track record of success when it comes to developing catchers.