Bill Mueller is a free agent on the coaching market.
Mueller resigned as the Chicago Cubs’ hitting coach Tuesday after just one season in the position. He worked closely with Mike Brumley, who last week was dismissed from his job as the club’s assistant hitting coach.
“My loyalty and my word are what I stand by,” Mueller said Tuesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “I thank (Cubs president) Theo (Epstein) and (general manager) Jed (Hoyer) for the opportunity. They took care of Mike, allowing me to pick Mike and bring him in. I thought we had a lot of success. It’s unfortunate they didn’t feel that our team was an asset. And if that’s not the case, then you have to move on and you have to go a different direction.”
The Cubs’ offense ranked 12th in the National League in runs scored (614) and average (.239) this season. The unit finished ninth in OPS (.684). Mueller and Brumley certainly were tested, though, as five hitting prospects made their major league debuts with the Cubs in 2014.
Mueller said he plans to reach out to other organizations in need of a hitting coach. The Boston Red Sox are one team with a vacancy, as the team announced Friday that Greg Colbrunn will not return to his post in 2015. Mueller spent three seasons with the Red Sox from 2003 through 2005, winning a batting title in 2003 and a World Series title in 2004.
The Cubs already are close to hiring a replacement for Mueller, according to ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers. Manny Ramirez reportedly isn’t a consideration, though he could be in the mix for Chicago’s assistant hitting coach position.
Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
