The Chicago Cubs haven't made a free-agency splash yet, but they are filling out the coaching staff.
Astros bullpen coach Jamie Quirk will be named the Cubs new bench coach, the team confirmed.
"It's just a great opportunity," Quirk said, according to cubs.com. "When Dale Sveum was interviewing, he asked me if I'd be interested if he gets any of the jobs, and he got the Cubs. I talked with [Cubs president of baseball operations] Theo [Epstein] and passed that test, and called [former Astros general manager] Ed [Wade] for permission and all that. I was excited.
"It's the Cubbies. Who wouldn't want that job? They have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around."
Sveum took over as manager for Mike Quade, who was fired after his only full season ended with a 71-91 record. Pat Listach was the Cubs bench coach last season.
Quirk joined the Astros in 2010 after being a scout for the Reds the previous season. He was bench coach for Clint Hurdle in Colorado from 2003-08.
Quirk was interested in getting back in the dugout, saying that much of his work as bullpen coach came before games.
"Pretty much, once the game started I was out of it," Quirk said, according to cubs.com. "I was looking forward to the opportunity to get back in the dugout and having more one-on-one with the manager and feeling like you're actually helping rather than sitting back and watching. I've done it many years before, and I kind of missed it."
The Astros weren't going to stand in his way.
"He's a good guy and going to be an asset to any ballclub," Astros manager Brad Mills said, according to Fox TV in Houston. "He wanted to move up and I think this is a move up for him."
Quirk played 18 seasons in the major leagues, mostly as a catcher, and finished with a .240 batting average.