Year two of the Craig Counsell era brought improved results: the Chicago Cubs went from 83 to 92 wins, punching their first ticket to the playoffs since 2020 and winning postseason games for the first time since 2017. But as Counsell and the front office look ahead to the looming offseason and the 2026 campaign, there's some degree of uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff.
Previously connected to the San Francisco Giants managerial vacancy, Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty has been floated as a potential candidate to replace San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, who abruptly retired on Monday.