Cubs hiring Yankees minor-league coach Jose Javier as first base coach

Cubs manager Craig Counsell continues to fill out his coaching staff ahead of the winter meetings, with the hiring of a new first base coach. The Cubs are set to name former Yankees minor-league coach Jose Javier to the position, sources confirmed Friday.

The Yankees’ Triple-A defensive coach for the last two seasons, Javier has coached mostly defense and baserunning at various levels of the Yankees farm system since finishing his minor-league playing career in 2015.

During the 2022 Arizona Fall League season, Javier was also on the coaching staff for the Mesa Solar Sox, a team that included Cubs position player prospects Owen Caissie, Brennen Davis, Matt Mervis and BJ Murray.

The Cubs first base coaching position was previously held by Mike Napoli, who was among the coaches the team parted with right after the season.

Javier’s addition rounds out the Cubs’ main on-field coaching staff. As sources previously confirmed, the team has already hired former Brewers first base coach Quintin Berry as third base coach, promoted Casey Jacobson from senior coordinator of pitching development onto the major-league staff and are set to move field coordinator Mark Strittmatter to bullpen coach.

The team has not, however, yet formally announced Counsell’s 2025 coaching staff, including support staff.