Bruce Levine
@MLBBruceLevine
Sources indicate two members of Joe Maddon’s Cub staff will follow him to the Angels . Brian Butterfield will coach third base . Cubs Strength and conditioning coach Tim Buss will be in the Quality assurance role for Anaheim.The popular Buss was with Cubs since 2001.
Cubs Prospects - Bryan Smith
I have heard the Cubs intend to modernize and become more data driven in their strength and conditioning programs, as beloved Tim Buss heads to follow Joe Maddon to Los Angeles (as
@MLBBruceLevine
reported).
Cubs Prospects - Bryan Smith
@cubprospects
This modernization will occur system wide, as I expect the Cubs to change their processes in strength development on the minor league side, too. Think of this like what they’re doing with pitching and hitting infrastructures.
Mark Gonzales
Venerable strength/conditioning coach Tim Buss leaves Cubs for Angels, about 4 months after Mark O’Neal, Director of Medical Services, departs for U of Arkansas men’s hoops. More changes in Cubs medical/training staff, along with 3B coach Brian Butterfield to Angels.
I think the changes inside that we aren't going to get to see are going to be huge. I was reading about Farrell when he got fired by the Red Sox. Butterfield was involved with making the defensive shifts and Butterfield did it all with video work. When Cora came he he turned it over to the analytics department and they game players wristbands and cards for their shifting.
The whole wrist band thing had me thinking as well about when Ross caught he wore one. Was Contreras wearing one this year? I honestly don't remember. I assume Butterfield was doing the defensive shift work with the Cubs and still using video. That might explain the Cubs lack of shifting. I really think that if you aren't into advanced stats and being able to get them into a useful presentation for the players the Cubs won't have any use for you.
Follow Justin Stone on Twitter if you are interested in what the Cubs are going to be doing with S&C.