Cubs’ Coaching Shake-Up: Alex Smith Bids Farewell to Wrigley for Tigers’ VP Role – A Bittersweet Exit.vc
Chicago, October 30, 2025 – The Chicago Cubs’ coaching staff, lauded for fueling the team’s 92-win NLDS run in 2025, is set for a subtle but significant tweak in 2026. Major league strategy coach Alex Smith, a 10-year Cubs veteran instrumental in bridging analytics and on-field execution, is leaving to join the Detroit Tigers as vice president of baseball strategy, per The Athletic. The 32-year-old Cornell grad, who started as a 2015 baseball operations trainee and rose through coordinator roles to Counsell’s staff in 2023, reunites with Tigers president Scott Harris—a former Cubs colleague from 2012–19. “Alex has been a steady force in our clubhouse and data flow,” manager Craig Counsell said. “His growth is our gain and Detroit’s fortune.” As the Cubs retain most of Counsell’s crew, Smith’s exit underscores the staff’s upward mobility amid a 2025 season of highs (NLDS) and hurdles (injuries to Steele and Bellinger).
Smith’s Cubs Climb: From Trainee to Strategy Sage
Smith’s journey is a modern MLB tale. Hired in 2015 amid Theo Epstein’s analytics push, he climbed from trainee to coordinator of baseball operations, then major league coach in 2023 under David Ross. Under Counsell, Smith’s role expanded: Game-planning, data integration, and player development. “Alex was our data whisperer—translating numbers to nods,” Ian Happ credited, linking him to Happ’s three straight Gold Gloves. His work stabilized the Cubs’ 2025 infield (top-5 DRS) and optimized matchups, contributing to the Wild Card sweep over San Diego.
Smith’s move reunites him with Harris (Cubs director 2012–19), Greenberg, and Farrell—ex-Cubs forging Detroit’s front office. “Chicago gave me my start—now I build on it,” Smith said.
The Staff Evolution: Continuity with a Twist
The Cubs plan to retain 9 of Counsell’s 13 coaches, per sources. Ryan Flaherty returns as bench coach; Tommy Hottovy and Dustin Kelly as pitching and hitting coaches. New additions: Jose Javier (first base), Quintin Berry (third base), Casey Jacobson (assistant pitching), A.J. Lewis (staff assistant), Mark Strittmatter (bullpen). Strength hires: Kevin Poppe (head), Mark Weisman (assistant).
Hoyer: “We value continuity, but growth is key.” Flaherty’s links to San Diego and Minnesota loom, but Counsell aims for stability.
| Role | 2025 Coach | 2026 Coach | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Strategy | Alex Smith | Vacant | Smith to Tigers VP |
| Bench | Ryan Flaherty | Ryan Flaherty | Potential managerial buzz |
| First Base | Mike Napoli | Jose Javier | Yankees Triple-A alum |
| Third Base | Willie Harris | Quintin Berry | Brewers minor-league coordinator |
The Bigger Picture: Cubs’ Coaching Core for 2026
Smith’s exit is bittersweet: His data-driven touch aided the Cubs’ 2025 identity—pitching and defense. “Alex’s rope from front office to dugout was vital,” Counsell said. As Hoyer eyes $80M for Ranger Suárez and $45M for Bo Bichette, the staff’s evolution signals adaptability. On X, #CubsStaff buzzes: “Smith to Tigers? Bitter pill, but congrats.”
Conclusion
Alex Smith’s Cubs farewell isn’t an end—it’s elevation. His 10-year arc from trainee to strategy sage leaves a legacy of smarts and stability. With Flaherty steady and new ropes like Javier and Berry, Counsell’s crew is primed for 95 wins. Cubs fans, the staff’s tightening—Wrigley’s ready to roar.
