When I heard earlier this winter that a New York-Penn League short-season affiliate had become available, I remember thinking that it would be cool if the Cubs added another short-season team. I was disappointed that the Cubs did not snatch up that affiliate, as I thought it offered a unique opportunity to expand the lower part of the system.
So imagine my surprise when I got home after my Scholastic Bowl obligations and noticed this little blurb in an article about the Cubs minor league coaching staffs for the 2018 season:
Jonathan Mota begins his first year as a manager, taking over the club’s second rookie league team in Mesa.