Hickey resigns as the coach of the pitchers

Jim Hickey, coach of longtime pitcher Joe Maddon, may not be back on the north side next season. These rumors became a reality Tuesday, when Chicago provided clarification on a team of coaches in full mutation.

The Cubs announced that Hickey had informed the team on Monday of his decision to withdraw from the club's pitching coach for unspecified personal reasons. Chicago's search for a replacement, as well as for a new assistant coach, is underway.

Jim Hickey, coach of longtime pitcher Joe Maddon, may not be back on the north side next season. These rumors became a reality Tuesday, when Chicago provided clarification on a team of coaches in full mutation.

The Cubs announced that Hickey had informed the team on Monday of his decision to withdraw from the club's pitching coach for unspecified personal reasons. Chicago's search for a replacement, as well as for a new assistant coach, is underway.

"We thank Jim for his season with the Cubs and his positive impact on our pitchers," Cubs baseball president Theo Epstein said in a statement. "Jim has our full support and we wish him all the best."

Cubs do not have any other comments on Tuesday night.

This is the second consecutive season that the Cubs are embarking on the search for a pitching coach. After the 2017 campaign, Chicago separated from Chris Bosio after six seasons and brought Hickey aboard. Hickey was part of Maddon's coaching staff with the Rays for eight seasons (2007-14) before joining the Cubs staff for what turned out to be a one-year tour.

During the 2018 campaign, during which the Cubs won 95 games but lost in the Wild Card Game of the National League against the Rockies, the pitching team led by Hickey was ranked in the second rank at the NL with a time of 3.65. Chicago ranks 11th in pitch WAR (12.9 by Fangraphs) and 12 in Independent Fielding Pitching (4.14). The Bulls led NL in the ERA (3.35), amassing the fifth highest number of innings (588 1/3) in the NL. The rotation ranks sixth in the NL with an average of 3.84.

The Cubs are also looking for an assistant coach after hiring Andy Haines as the Brewers' lead coach. Earlier this season, the Cubs hired Anthony Iapoce as coach-coach after sacking Chile Davis at the end of the season. Similar to the pitching coaching situation, Iapoce will be the third Chicago hitter in three seasons.

The recruiting process acknowledges the fact that Epstein has let this offseason know that the Cubs do not plan to discuss an extension of contract with Maddon before the 2019 season. Maddon, who has a record of 387- 261 at the post of Director of Cubs, enters the final season of the five-year contract that he signed in October 2014.