The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports that "pitching coach Larry Rothschild and third base coach Chris Speier aren't completely out of the picture." It all depends on what the new manager wants to do. (It appears then that hitting coach Gene Clines, bench coach Dick Pole, first base coach Gary Matthews, bullpen coach Juan Lopez, and special assistant Sonny Jackson are all permanently gone.)

I’m fine with Speier returning as third base coach. He’s not Wendell Kim. And he was a good fielding shortstop in his playing days, such that he ought to have some wisdom to depart in that area. As long as this is under control.

As for Rothschild, that’s a bit more complicated. He has a fine reputation. But that hasn’t helped the Cubs’ pitching staff 1) stay healthy and 2) avoid leading the world in free passes.

That said, we should all remember Derek Smart’s self-admonition last year that we fans rarely have sufficient information by which to judge coaches.