Cubs Make a Surprising Coaching Move: Dixon Machado Steps into the Manager's Role
The Chicago Cubs have made a unique decision, hiring Dixon Machado as the manager of their Arizona Complex League affiliate. This move marks a significant shift in Machado's career, as it appears to signal the end of his playing days after 17 seasons in professional baseball. With a majority of his time spent in the minors, Machado's journey is an intriguing one, and his transition to coaching is a bold step forward.
Born in Venezuela, Machado's baseball career began in the minors, where he played nearly 1300 games, with over half of those at the Triple-A level. His four-year stint with the Tigers from 2015-2018 provided a taste of the MLB, but it was his time in the Cubs' system in 2019 that led him to Korea, where he played for the Lotte Giants for two seasons. Machado's return to the MLB was brief, as he played in just five games for the San Francisco Giants in 2022. Since then, he's been a fixture in the minors, spending the last three years with the Astros and Cubs, primarily at the Triple-A level.
Despite his limited MLB success, the Cubs recognized Machado's value as an organizational mentor. They signed him to multiple minor league contracts, even though he never made it to the big leagues. Now, at the age of 34, Machado is embracing a new challenge, taking on the role of manager for a rookie ball team. This team will consist of teenagers signed from Latin America, providing Machado with a fresh opportunity to impact the game in a different capacity.
Machado's playing career was marked by a .226 batting average, 107 hits, and two home runs in 177 major league games. In the minors, he hit .256 in over 3000 plate appearances at Triple-A and .279/.357/.392 in his two seasons in the KBO. The Cubs' decision to promote Machado to a managerial role is a testament to their belief in his abilities and a strategic move to develop young talent. As Machado embarks on this new chapter, he brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the coaching ranks, leaving us curious to see how his leadership will shape the future of the Cubs' minor league system.
