Cubs to hire Brewers first-base coach Quintin Berry as third-base coach

The Cubs are already beginning to fill the openings in manager Craig Counsell’s coaching staff. They plan to hire Brewers first-base coach Quintin Berry as their third-base coach, a source confirmed Thursday.

Berry spent the last four seasons in the first-base coach’s box for the Brewers, first as a member of Counsell’s Milwaukee staff, and then staying on with Brewers manager Pat Murphy this past season. Before that, Berry served as the Brewers’ minor-league outfield and baserunning coordinator in 2019 and 2020.

Berry, known for his baserunning acumen in his playing days as well, joins the Cubs with some ties already in place. In August 2015, the team signed the pinch-running specialist to a minor-league deal. After he appeared in eight major-league games late in the season, the Cubs added him to the NLCS roster following shortstop Addison Russell's hamstring strain.

Berry fills the coaching position vacated by Willie Harris, who departed after reaching an impasse with the Cubs in contract negotiations.

After the season, the Cubs also parted ways with first-base coach Mike Napoli, bullpen coach Darren Holmes, assistant hitting coach Jim Adduci and strength and conditioning coaches Keegan Knoll and Ryan Clausen — leaving several more openings for Counsell to fill this offseason.