March 20, 2017

Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon believes Cubs are on schedule ahead of season opener http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-joe-maddon-opening-day-20170320-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs offense more potent than last season? Joe Maddon trusts the data http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-offense-more-potent-spt-0320-20170319-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' opening-day roster comes down to schedule, options, contracts http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-final-roster-decisions-spt-0320-20170319-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Joe Maddon: 'We're not going to steal bases, everybody knows that' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-stolen-bases-20170319-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Hector Rondon in good spirits after World Baseball Classic debacle http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-hector-rondon-wbc-20170319-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Sunday's recap: Royals 6, Cubs 2 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-royals-gameday-20170319-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs take on the world? A great idea that will never happen http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cubs-world-baseball-classic-sullivan-spt-0320-20170319-column.html

Chicago Sun-Times, Ian Kennedy is Royal pain for Cubs in 6-2 loss to KC http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/ian-kennedy-is-royal-pain-for-cubs-in-6-2-loss-to-kc/

Chicago Sun-Times, Hector Rondon appreciates, moves on from tough WBC loss http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/f-it-hector-rondon-appreciates-moves-on-from-tough-wbc-loss/

Chicago Sun-Times, Geek preview: Schwarber best fit for Cubs’ leadoff spot http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/geek-preview-schwarber-best-fit-for-cubs-leadoff-spot/

Chicago Sun-Times, For openers, Cubs still looking for a few answers this spring http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/for-openers-cubs-still-looking-for-a-few-answers-this-spring/

Daily Herald, Chicago Cubs' rotation relies on its 'big three' http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170319/sports/170318736/

Cubs.com, Russell launches fifth spring homer http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/220059360/ian-kennedy-leads-royals-to-win-over-cubs/

Cubs.com, Cubs await word on Jimenez's shoulder http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/220059870/cubs-expect-news-on-eloy-jimenezs-injury-soon/

Cubs.com, Maddon anticipates even more run production http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/220065482/cubs-project-to-score-more-runs-than-in-2016/

Cubs.com, Rondon rejoins Cubs after emotional Classic http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/220059358/hector-rondon-back-with-cubs-from-wbc-2017/

ESPNChicago.com, Jason Heyward's swing makeover: Did it actually work? http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/43437/jason-heywards-swing-makeover-did-it-actually-work

CSNChicago.com, Why Joe Maddon And The Geek Department Think This Cubs Lineup Could Be More Explosive Than Last Year’s Team http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/why-joe-maddon-and-geek-department-think-cubs-lineup-could-be-more-explosive-last-years

CSNChicago.com, Already A Cubs Legend, Kyle Schwarber Laughs Off The Critics Of His Outfield Defense http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/already-cubs-legend-kyle-schwarber-laughs-critics-his-outfield-defense

CSNChicago.com, Cubs Aren’t Overreacting To Hector Rondon’s Performance In World Baseball Classic http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-arent-overreacting-hector-rondons-performance-world-baseball-classic

-- Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon believes Cubs are on schedule ahead of season opener By Mark Gonzales Manager Joe Maddon plans to increase and intensify the work of the Cubs following Tuesday's day off. But with less than two weeks before the April 2 opener at St. Louis, Maddon likes the progress of his defending champions. “I am happy with where things are at," Maddon said Sunday night. "I think guys look pretty good and are healthy. When we come back from that day off, that’s when I really want to plug the minds into the games. "I’ve seen some guys becoming more mindful in the game right now, as opposed to just trying to get their work in. But after the break, I’d like to see us really pick up our game, just really get involved more mentally in the game. Maddon believes some of the intensity accelerated following his annual meeting with the "Lead Bulls," his group of veteran players, to discuss and set team policies. "I'm seeing an uptick since that meeting," Maddon said. "It was a nice conversation. It went really well. I just brought it up to them what I was thinking about as a group. But I didn’t talk to the whole group. "It seems it’s working in the right direction where these guys carry the messages. And they do it by their actions and how they’re playing." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs offense more potent than last season? Joe Maddon trusts the data By Mark Gonzales After reading some projections from the team's analytics department, Cubs manager Joe Maddon felt even better about the potential of the lineup with Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot and the starting pitcher batting eighth.

"If that number is right, I'll take it," Maddon said Sunday night. Maddon didn't reveal the number, but he did say the 2017 lineup was projected to score more runs per game than last season's average, which was 4.98. That might seem like an ambitious goal, considering the Cubs will be without last season's leadoff hitter, Dexter Fowler, now with the Cardinals, who scored 84 runs and led all leadoff batters with a .393 on-base percentage. But Maddon is banking on a full season from Schwarber, who missed the final 159 games because of torn ligaments in his left knee, the maturity of No. 5 hitter Addison Russell, a rebound season from Jason Heyward and a full season from catcher Willson Contreras. "I don't remember that (projected) number being on last year's lineup," Maddon said. "They gave me a sheet with different scenarios. It was pretty heavy. It was good." When asked if that number exceeded more than five runs per game, Maddon smiled and said, "I don't know. It's a good number." Maddon reiterated he would tinker with the lineup when Schwarber doesn't start against a left-handed pitcher or needs to rest his knee. That would result in the starting pitcher batting in the ninth spot. The findings were part of an annual project Maddon gives to the analytics department dating to his days with the Rays. Maddon felt strongly about batting Schwarber leadoff and dropping Fowler to second for the final two months of the 2015 season but was talked out of it by his data people, who were proved right when Fowler finished strong. "I'm open to that stuff," Maddon said. "Everyone should have his own geek." Extra innings: Reliever Hector Rondon said he felt fine after pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, where he surrendered game-tying and game-winning home runs to the United States. "He was very accountable about the other night," Maddon said. "He knows he can fix it." ... Test results on the right shoulder of outfielder Eloy Jimenez are expected to be revealed Monday. ... Bench coach Dave Martinez will manage the Cubs when they travel to Las Vegas for two games next weekend. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' opening-day roster comes down to schedule, options, contracts By Mark Gonzales The Cubs front office will go through its own version of checks and balances as it enters the final 10 days of spring training in Arizona. Like the U.S. government, the Cubs have three branches to consider before their opening-day roster must be finalized. Here's a look at how each branch of power may influence the makeup of the 25-man roster. Schedule It seemed axiomatic in December that the Cubs would carry 13 pitchers on their opening-day roster to alleviate the workload of their starting pitchers, who labored through a stressful but successful postseason. Manager Joe Maddon prefers to spread the work among his relievers, but finding work for all eight could be challenging should they opt for a 13-man staff.

The Cubs have three scheduled days off in the first 10 days of the season, and they won't encounter a lengthy stretch without a scheduled day off until a 17-game stretch June 16-July 2. Options Opening the season with 13 pitchers would leave the Cubs with one decision — whether to keep outfielder Matt Szczur or infielder Tommy La Stella. Szczur is out of minor-league options, and the Cubs could lose him to waivers if he doesn't make the roster. La Stella has two options left, but the versatility of Javier Baez, Ben Zobrist and Kris Bryant could make it possible for the Cubs to carry a left-handed pinch hitter like La Stella — a late-inning asset Maddon likes. The Cubs would have to be extremely creative if they decide to carry 12 pitchers. Carl Edwards Jr. has ascended since joining the team for good last June, but he has minor-league options. Justin Grimm was sent to the minors twice after the 2016 All-Star break but has one option left because he didn't spend at least 20 days in the minors, according to a source. Left-handed reliever Caleb Smith, a Rule 5 selection, must stay on the Cubs' major-league roster for the entire season and remain on the active roster for at least 90 days or be offered back to the Yankees, his former team, for half of the $100,000 price. Maddon said a decision on Smith won't be made until the end of spring training. Smith has minor-league options, so the Cubs could try to work out a trade with the Yankees to keep him without having to carry him on the major-league roster. Contracts To trim their 2014 opening-day roster, the Cubs let infielder Donnie Murphy go to the Rangers on a waiver claim and released backup catcher George Kottaras, eating slightly more than $250,000. The stakes are slightly greater with left-handed reliever Brian Duensing, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract but has been sidelined because of lower-back stiffness. Duensing is scheduled to pitch soon, but the Cubs could decide Smith is a better long-term answer. The Cubs would owe Duensing about $523,255 in termination pay if they decide not to keep him. Duensing, however, could have long-term value if an injury to starting left-hander Brett Anderson necessitates Mike Montgomery becoming the fifth starter. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Joe Maddon: 'We're not going to steal bases, everybody knows that' By Mark Gonzales The Cubs stole only 66 bases last season, and manager Joe Maddon doesn't expect that to change in 2017. "We’re not going to steal bases," Maddon said Sunday in a blunt tone. "Everybody knows that. If you’re going to advance scout us, why would you even try? We don’t have those guys in the lineup." Since-departed Dexter Fowler led the Cubs with 13 stolen bases, followed by Javier Baez (12) and Jason Heyward (11). Kyle Schwarber will bat leadoff for most of this season, but he's known more for his power than his speed. "I don’t like trying to put the round peg in the square hole," Maddon said. "It just doesn’t make any sense. I think we can be situational. There are certain guys you can force to attempt it with. For me, if the guy is a really good pitcher you’re facing, and you’re just not going to get three, four, five hits in a row, and there might be a breaking

ball situation in the dirt, maybe their catcher is a little bit below average, that might be a situation you take a chance. "But just to go out there and attempt to do it, you’ll continually shoot yourself in the foot." Maddon fiercely shunned any thought that Schwarber, who missed nearly all of last season due to knee surgery, would clog the bases batting ahead of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. "He’s not station-to-station," Maddon said. "People are going to be confused by the (knee) brace and injury. You saw his catch going into the gap (in left center). I've seen him on the bases and the slide the other day. He looks fine." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Hector Rondon in good spirits after World Baseball Classic debacle By Mark Gonzales There's no need to panic, as far as Cubs reliever Hector Rondon is concerned, in the wake of his rough performance for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic. “That was a little tough for me because I missed location, and my ball was running up,” said Rondon, who allowed five runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings for Venezuela in Pool F of the World Baseball Classic. “But my arm feels good. And everything was good. My mind was really good, and I take that experience to come here and keep working. So I’m really happy where I am right now.” The Cubs have brought Rondon along slowly because of his cumulative workload the past three seasons and a right triceps strain that sidelined him late last August and early September. But manager Joe Maddon wasn’t concerned about Rondon since his fastball was clocked as high as 98 mph in his appearance against the United States. "He was really upbeat when I spoke to him," Maddon said of Rondon, who returned from San Diego after Venezuela was eliminated. "I was very happy to see that. He said he feels great, and that’s all I want to hear. "I keep talking about health and guys feeling good right now. And he does. We’ll fine-tune the location of his pitches because he’s had great stuff, just in a bad spot." -- Chicago Tribune Sunday's recap: Royals 6, Cubs 2 By Mark Gonzales The Cubs were limited to three hits and struck out seven times in six innings Sunday night against Ian Kennedy in a 6-2 loss to the Royals before a sellout crowd of 15,497 at Sloan Park. At the plate Addison Russell snapped the Royals’ shutout bid by hitting a line drive home run over the left field fence to open the eighth. Jason Heyward grounded into a double play to end the fifth. The Cubs struck out 11 times against Kennedy, Joakim Soria and Mike Minor. On the mound

Mike Montgomery struck out five in three innings, but they came after he allowed a home run to Mike Moustakas in the first. Brett Anderson, who is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation against Montgomery, left with the bases loaded in the eighth and all three runners scored off reliever Jim Henderson. In the field Shortstop Addison Russell bobbled a grounder and threw late to first on a grounder by Lorenzo Cain in the third. First baseman Anthony Rizzo ran to shallow right to catch Drew Butera’s fly to end the fourth. Key number 25 – Home runs allowed by Cubs pitchers this spring. Up next Cubs vs. Rockies, 3:05 p.m., Monday at Salt River Fields. RH Kyle Hendricks vs. LH Tyler Anderson. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs take on the world? A great idea that will never happen By Paul Sullivan Speaking with Japanese reporters Saturday before Team Japan played the Cubs in their tuneup for the World Baseball Classic semifinals, Joe Maddon offered a modest proposal. "In the future, the World Series champs should play the WBC champs at the conclusion of the WBC in a best of three," Maddon said, according to cubs.com. "The major-league team would be in great shape. I think it could be kind of interesting." It definitely would be interesting to see the Cubs play the winner of this year's WBC, especially if Puerto Rico wins. The sight of Javier Baez celebrating a great tag against his real team would be worth the price of admission. But with apologies to Maddon, a better idea would be for the defending World Series champs to represent the U.S. and Canada and get a bye into the WBC semifinals against three other teams. Imagine the Cubs, Puerto Rico, Japan and the Dominican Republic in the semifinals this week at Dodger Stadium. It would be similar to the old College All-Star Football Classic, an annual preseason game that pitted the NFL champs against the best college players at Soldier Field. At this point of spring training, the starters are stretched out enough to go five innings if needed, and the position players are just fine-tuning their swings for opening day. Frankly, the Cubs could use the competition since the Cactus League games are already repetitive. If the Cubs were in this year, Baez obviously would have to switch teams. But that's a small price to pay to make the WBC that much more fun and give baseball a real shot at competing for TV viewers with March Madness. Don't expect that idea to ever happen, of course. Or Maddon's proposal either. If the Cubs won the WBC but then didn't repeat as champs, some would point to the tournament as a reason for the failure, suggesting they got too keyed up for exhibition games in the spring instead of readying themselves for the ultimate goal of winning the World Series. And naturally, if someone got injured, the Cubs front office would be understandably livid.

Injury risks to the college stars entering their rookie seasons forced the NFL to put an end to its game pitting the All-Stars against the Super Bowl champs. The final game was played in 1976, when the Steelers beat the College All-Stars 24-0 in a game called in the third quarter because of a driving rainstorm. Dancing machine: Former Cubs catcher David Ross makes his much-anticipated dancing debut Monday night in the season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars." Kris Bryant called Ross "the early favorite just because of the following he has now," but most of the early betting lines had Ross at or near the bottom of the 12 contestants, just ahead of Mr. T and Chris Kattan. Ross reportedly will dance the quickstep with partner Lindsay Arnold. The song they'll dance to, not surprisingly, is Steve Goodman's "Go, Cubs Go," which isn't exactly dance music but will remind everyone why Ross was chosen as one of the "stars" in the first place. Can "Grandpa" pull it off? "He's definitely got the self-confidence," Cubs President Theo Epstein said. "It's going to be really fun to see him out there dancing with his catching equipment on." Epstein joked that Ross would be wearing his cup. In truth, Epstein said he would not bet against the veteran backup, who survived for 15 years in the majors despite a .229 career average. "He's an overachiever," Epstein said. "He plays above his tools. Let's hope he does that again on 'Dancing With the Stars.' He is representing the Cubs, so let's hope he gets us off to a good start." Since the winner is determined on fan voting, Ross' dance skills may not have to be Michael Jackson-like to advance a few rounds. He could turn out to be the 'DWTS' version of Sanjaya Malakar, the awful teenage singer whom fans voted into the final rounds of "American Idol" in 2006. With all the Cubs fans across the world, Ross is likely to get plenty of votes either way. "I'd feel a lot more confident if Addison Russell was representing the Cubs on the show instead of Ross," Epstein said. "Addison is our best dancer." Russell is a little busy right now, while "Grandpa" is just starting his post-Cubs career. -- Chicago Sun-Times Ian Kennedy is Royal pain for Cubs in 6-2 loss to KC By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy allowed only three hits – just one getting out of the infield – in six scoreless innings to beat the Cubs 6-2 in a Cactus League night game at Sloan Park. Kennedy struck out seven, including MVP Kris Bryant twice, and didn’t walk a batter. He induced a pair of inning-ending double plays to face just one over the minimum. The Cubs’ fifth/sixth-starter tandem Mike Montgomery and Brett Anderson combined for 6 1/3 innings — all of Anderson’s three runs allowed scoring after he left the game, on a bases-loaded walk and two-out single allowed by Jim Henderson. Kid power Shortstop Addison Russell, 22, lined his team-leading fifth homer of the spring over the left-field wall leading off the eighth for the Cubs’ first run.

Russell said this spring he thinks he can hit for more power after his 21-homer sophomore season. Keep an eye on …: South Carolina against Duke, said South Carolina native Carl Edwards Jr. before his scheduled relief outing against the Royals Sunday night. Edwards was right in more ways than one. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning just a few minutes before the Gamecocks’ upset over Duke finished. Edwards, whose 2016 finished with a 10th-inning appearance in Game 7 of the World Series, will get the chance this year to take a significant role in the Cubs’ late-inning plans as the season progresses. Soler eclipse In his return to Sloan Park, former Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler struck out twice against Montgomery and once against Anderson. That’s 15 strikeouts this spring for Soler – three times as many as his total of Cactus League hits (5-for-41). Heyward watch Jason Heyward, who’s trying to rebound from his worst career season at the plate, went hitless in three more at-bats – now 5-for-38 (.132) in official Cactus League games. He’s 5-for-15 in his last five games overall, counting two hits in an exhibition game against Japan’s WBC team Saturday. On Sunday he batted seventh, where he probably will open the season in the Cubs’ lineup. On deck Cubs at Rockies, Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m. (CT), cubs.com audio, Kyle Hendricks vs. Tyler Anderson. -- Chicago Sun-Times Hector Rondon appreciates, moves on from tough WBC loss By Gordon Wittenmyer Hector Rondon’s foray into the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela didn’t last long, in large part because of the lead he blew against Team USA in a second-round game Wednesday night. “I know I had a bad outing that day,” he said of the back-to-back homers he gave up to Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer. “But [screw] it; it is what it is. I enjoyed playing with those guys, and I was really happy to be there. Any moment you go to represent your country and be there for those fans, it’s fun.” Rondon, the former Cubs closer who enters the season as one of their top setup men, seemed to put to rest any notion that there might be a negative mental carryover. “He was really upbeat when I spoke with him. I was really happy to see that,” Maddon said. “He said he feels great. That’s all I want to hear.” Rondon, who said his emotions were “really high” pitching for his country, took solace in the fact that his velocity and stuff were good. “I just missed a couple pitches, and that’s it,” he said. “My arm feels good. My mind’s really good. And I take that for the experience, to come in here and keep working. I’m really happy where I am right now.”

-- Chicago Sun-Times Geek preview: Schwarber best fit for Cubs’ leadoff spot By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Have a problem with manager Joe Maddon replacing Dexter Fowler with Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot? Take it up with Maddon’s geeks. “I’m all about the geeks,” Maddon said. “Everybody should have his own geek.” The source of Maddon’s glee with the workers in the analytics department Sunday was what he saw in a report about the team’s estimated run production. “The projection with Schwarber hitting first and the pitcher eighth is really high. Really high,” Maddon said. ‘‘If that number’s right, I’ll take it.” Maddon said it adds up to more than the 808 runs the Cubs scored last year — third-most in the majors — with Schwarber getting the majority of time in the leadoff spot. The pitcher batting eighth doesn’t play as well on the days Schwarber takes off against lefties, so the pitcher will hit ninth those days, Maddon said. “They gave me a sheet with different scenarios,” he said. “It was pretty heavy. Dexter was awesome obviously. But Schwarber with the power potential, the home runs coming out of that spot with the extra at-bats, the natural rebound of Jason [Heyward] — you just think that Jason’s going to be a better hitter production-wise than last year — and some of the young guys like Willson [Contreras] as an example, in his second year in the big leagues. . . . All those things indicate that if we set it up this way, we should have a pretty good offensive year, especially against a right-handed pitcher.” The Cubs averaged 4.99 runs last year. How far north of 5.0 are the Schwarber projections? “I don’t know,” Maddon said, smirking at the sudden memory loss. “It’s a good number.” The Cubs’ record for runs in a season is 998 in 1930 in a 156-game season (6.4 runs per game). -- Chicago Sun-Times For openers, Cubs still looking for a few answers this spring By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — From the start of spring training, the biggest questions for the Cubs have been how most of them plan to spend their World Series shares and whether they’ll wear their 2016 championship rings on the left hand or the right. More than a month later, little has changed, which baseball people define as a good spring. But aside from continued good health for key players, the Cubs have at least three things to focus on or evaluate with two weeks before Opening Night in St. Louis. First: 12 or 13 pitchers for the opening roster? It’s probably going to be 13 if everybody’s healthy, in part because the Cubs are planning to use a Mike Montgomery-Brett Anderson “hybrid” plan for their fifth starter spot (which at points in the season will morph into two spots in a six-man rotation). The seven other bullpen guys all include veteran, productive, big-league players,

five of whom are on multi-million-dollar contracts and the youngest of whom — Carl Edwards Jr. — might be the best setup man in the bunch. Left-hander Brian Duensing is over his back problem that sidelined him the last couple of weeks and expects to return to game action early this week, which would put all 13 pitchers on track for a healthy start. But manager Joe Maddon insisted in recent days that the Cubs haven’t locked into a 13-man staff, regardless of health. “We’re keeping an open mind about all that,” he said. Which brings up the second item on the list: infielder Tommy La Stella or outfielder Matt Szczur? If the Cubs keep 13 pitchers, there’s room for only one. Szczur, a right-handed hitter who can play all three outfield spots well, ranked sixth in the majors with 12 pinch hits last year, but he faces a more crowded outfield picture this year with the return of Kyle Schwarber, the addition of Jon Jay and the likelihood that second baseman Ben Zobrist could be used at times in the outfield, as he was in the postseason. La Stella, an adequate fielder at second and third with a contact bat and a refined approach at the plate, was hitting .295 with an .846 OPS when he went AWOL for three weeks last year after he was optioned to the minors. He was just 9-for-43 (.209) with four walks and three extra-base hits over the final month once he returned. There are also these factors: Szczur is out of options; La Stella is out of touch with reality at times (see reference to “AWOL for three weeks” in previous paragraph). And, finally, the third big, $184  million item: What do you do with Jason Heyward? The Gold Glove right fielder with exceptional baserunning skills has spent the spring trying to regain some semblance of big-league hitting comfort, rhythm and performance after the worst offensive season of his career. He was a bench player for much of the postseason because of that, and he figures to bat somewhere in the vicinity of where he was in Sunday’s spring lineup (seventh) when the season opens. But Heyward’s results this spring have been mixed at best: 5-for-35 (.143) in Cactus League games, plus a 2-for-3 “non-counting” game against Japan’s World Baseball Classic team on Saturday that made him 5-for-9 over his previous three games overall. Maddon said he likes Heyward’s look and says he has hit into a lot of bad luck this spring. Fact is, Heyward hasn’t looked especially comfortable at the plate over the last week, and depending on the scout you talk to, he either looks the same as last year or shows signs he might be better. Check back in a couple weeks. -- Daily Herald Chicago Cubs' rotation relies on its 'big three' By Bruce Miles Teams facing the Chicago Cubs this season know they'll be going up against these starting pitchers: • The major-league ERA champion from 2016, a pitcher who finished third in the Cy Young balloting. • A 19-game winner from last year and runner-up in the Cy Young voting, a pitcher who went 2-0 in the 2016 World Series and who has three world championships to his credit. • The 2015 Cy Young Award winner, a pitcher with 40 victories over the past two season.

Those three pitchers, respectively, are Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, and they form as formidable a "big three" as any in the game. When the 2017 regular season opens April 2 in St. Louis, the order of those pitchers facing the Cardinals is likely to be Lester, Arrieta and Hendricks. But wait, there's more. Following those three in the Chicago rotation are the ever-irascible John Lackey and a choice between left-handers Mike Montgomery and Brett Anderson. So the Cubs have six pitchers for five spots, but manager Joe Maddon likes to insert a sixth starter during busy parts of the season. So look for both Montgomery and Anderson to get starts, though the six-man probably won't go into effect right away. The Cubs chose not to bring back starter Jason Hammel (15-10, 3.83 ERA last year) for 2017, but they return the bulk of a starting staff that went 81-39 with a major-league-leading 2.96 ERA. "I like seeing our guys and how competitive we are and how we're able to let them hit it, and our defense is so good," said Lester, who regained the title of staff ace last year by going 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA and finishing second in Cy Young voting to Washington's Max Scherzer. Arrieta was the ace in 2015, with ridiculous numbers of 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA, earning him the Cy Young. Over the past two seasons, Arrieta is 40-14 with a 2.39 ERA. Wins by pitchers aren't looked at the way they used to be, but 40 is an impressive number, and Arrieta takes some pride in that figure. "I do, for sure," he said. "You've also got to have great teammates, a good defense, a good offense, which I've been really fortunate to have, and that's why we've won so many games since I've been a Cub. Yeah, you take a little pride in winning games for your team, but at the end of the day, having a lineup like I've got, if you can keep yourself in the game past 5 innings, you're going to win some ballgames here." The most interesting pitcher to watch might be Hendricks, who set career highs in wins (16), innings (190) and strikeouts (170) in his second full big-league season. He also started Game 7 of the World Series. At 27, Hendricks is still learning his craft, but his cerebral approach to the game seems to be a positive. Veteran Lester weighed in on his young teammate. "You're going to have years like last year like Kyle, where he wins so many games and he has a 2.10," Lester said. "And you're going to have years where you're going to get your butt kicked. You're kind of doing the same stuff and you don't know why. You just to maintain that. That's what's worked for me, that 200 innings, 32-34 starts and at the end of the year, you look up and you're right there. "He makes really good in-game adjustments, and I see the sky's the limit. Is he going to have the 2.10 (ERA)? Who knows? We have a really good defense, and I know that saved a lot of runs for us (last) year. "The big thing, I'd like to see him get 200 innings. I'd like to see him get up to that number. I'd like, obviously, to see all our guys make every start and try to do that whole group thing again." Montgomery got the save in Game 7 of the World Series in November. He came to the Cubs from Seattle in a July trade, and he was one of the top under-the-radar acquisitions of the year. Anderson is trying to put together a full season after battling injuries during parts of his career. The Cubs signed him as a free agent after he appeared in four games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, when his season was cut short by back problems. --

Cubs.com Russell launches fifth spring homer By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Ian Kennedy looked ready for the regular season on Sunday night. The Royals right-hander struck out seven and held the Cubs to three hits over six innings in a 6-2 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 15,497 at Sloan Park. Addison Russell led off the Chicago eighth with a home run, his fifth this spring. "That's midseason stuff right there," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Kennedy. "He had everything going. He had a phenomenal slider tonight, spotted his fastball well, good changeup, excellent location, quick tempo. He was spectacular." Mike Moustakas hit a solo home run and added a sacrifice fly to back Kennedy, who is coming off an 11-11 season with the Royals. Kennedy hasn't allowed a run in three Cactus League starts, though he did give up two runs (one earned) in a March 8 game against Team Venezuela. He called the Cubs' lineup the toughest he's faced, next to Venezuela's. "There's a reason why they're defending champs," Kennedy said. "I just tried to mix as if it's a normal game. No scouting reports, but you go out there and try to compete and mix pitches, give them different looks, mixing and everything. I was happy with that." Moustakas gave Kansas City a quick lead with one out in the first when he launched the first pitch he saw from Mike Montgomery to right for his third spring home run. Billy Burns was hit by a pitch with one out in the third, reached third on Raul Mondesi's single and scored on Moustakas' sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead. Montgomery, in contention for the fifth starter spot in the Cubs' rotation, struck out five over three innings. Brett Anderson, also a candidate for the fifth spot, pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief. The Royals sent nine batters to the plate in a four-run eighth. They loaded the bases with one out against Anderson, and Jim Henderson took over and walked Peter O'Brien to force in a run. One out later, Christian Colon hit a two-run single. Royals up next: The Royals host the Reds Monday for a 3:05 p.m. CT tilt. New rotation stalwart Jason Hammel climbs the hill for Kansas City in his fourth Cactus League start. He gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings against the White Sox his last time out, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out five. The matchup will be available live on MLB.TV and on royals.com via an exclusive free audio webcast. Cubs up next: Kyle Hendricks will make his fourth Cactus League start on Monday when the Cubs travel to Scottsdale to face the Rockies. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT. Hendricks, who led the Major Leagues in ERA last season, has given up two runs on seven hits over nine innings while striking out 10. He has not walked a batter. The game will be available live on MLB.TV and on cubs.com via an exclusive free audio webcast. -- Cubs.com Cubs await word on Jimenez's shoulder By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs hope to know more about the status of outfielder Eloy Jimenez's right shoulder this week. Jimenez, 20, has not played since Tuesday when he made an awkward throw from left field to home against the Brewers. The ball sailed into the seats behind the Cubs' dugout.

The top prospect underwent an MRI and a CT scan on the shoulder, and the Cubs wanted their orthopedic specialist, Dr. Stephen Gryzlo, to look at the test results. An update could come on Monday. Jimenez, who tops the Cubs Top 30 Prospects list, was assigned to the Minor League camp on Friday. -- Cubs.com Maddon anticipates even more run production By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Opening Night for the Cubs is in two weeks, and manager Joe Maddon likes what he sees, especially after getting some projections from the baseball operations department regarding the offense. Last season, the Cubs ranked second in the National League in runs scored (808) behind the Rockies, but that was without Kyle Schwarber in the lineup. "For right now," Maddon said, "it looks like hitting him [first] and the pitcher eighth is not a bad idea." That's because the geeks, as Maddon fondly calls the statistics folks, project the Cubs to score more runs than they did last year. They're not only counting on Schwarber's presence making a difference but another year of maturity for the young hitters like Willson Contreras, Addison Russell and even Kris Bryant. Plus, they project a rebound season for Jason Heyward, who batted .230 last year. "I think, naturally, the hitting will get better," Maddon said. "If somebody had a bad year, they should rebound from last year." Schwarber may not seem like a prototypical leadoff hitter, but Maddon likes having him at the top. "If he's hitting fourth or fifth, I don't believe he'll be pitched the same as he will hitting in front of Bryant and [Anthony] Rizzo," said Maddon, who is a proponent of constructing a lineup that protects key players. "When my lineup card goes to the other team and they look at that, and if Schwarber is left without a blanket, they'll exploit not pitching to him." Maddon will start work on the mental part of the game after Tuesday's off-day to prepare for the season opener on April 2, when the Cubs face the Cardinals. He's already seen some changes in the attitude after meeting early last week with the "lead bulls." Those are the veteran players Maddon likes to have in charge of the clubhouse. "It seems it's working in the right direction," Maddon said. Did any of the young players on the roster move up to lead-bull status? "They haven't graduated yet," Maddon said. "I want them to just go play; I don't want them to feel that responsibility yet." -- Cubs.com Rondon rejoins Cubs after emotional Classic By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Hector Rondon's two outings for Venezuela did not go well, but the reliever rejoined the Cubs on Sunday and said the World Baseball Classic was a good experience and he was ready to pitch in a Spring Training game. Rondon served up home runs to Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer in the eighth inning as Team USA rallied for a 4-2 victory over Venezuela. He also gave up two runs on two hits, including a homer, in one inning against Puerto Rico on Saturday.

"Any moment you go to represent your country, and be there for those fans, it's fun," Rondon said Sunday. "I know I had a bad outing that day [against Team USA]. ... It is what it is, and I enjoyed playing with those guys." "He was really upbeat when I spoke with him," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He says he feels great, and that's all I want to hear. We'll fine tune the location of his pitches." The problem wasn't velocity, but location against Team USA, he said. "They got me, but I'm happy," Rondon said. "I know we lost those games, but I was really happy to be there. "It was a little tough for me because I missed the location and my balls went up. My arm feels good, and everything was good. My mind is really good, and I'll take that experience coming here and keep working. I'm really happy where I am right now." The games at Petco Park were emotional, Rondon said. "[Emotions] were really high, especially when you're representing your country," Rondon said. "Those hitters, they're really good. They know me, I don't know that much about [Jones], but now I know. I'm really happy, I'm really happy. I know I didn't have the success I wanted, but in my heart and my mind, I'm really happy." -- ESPNChicago.com Jason Heyward's swing makeover: Did it actually work? By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- Joe Maddon is steadfast regarding his opinion of outfielder Jason Heyward's swing makeover. The Chicago Cubs' third-year manager insists he’s seeing improvement after a lackluster 2016 campaign, although rival scouts who have followed the Cubs this spring don’t necessarily agree. Many showed no hesitation in stating the swing -- and subsequent results -- are very much like last year's. Maddon, meanwhile, says it depends on whom you talk to. “I had a scout sit in my office two days ago and say the opposite,” Maddon stated over the weekend. “He thinks it’s entirely different. He kind of liked it. Regardless of what a scout says in the stands, it doesn’t really impact my feelings at all. I know what I’m seeing -- a totally different swing. The guy that says it’s the same, I’m totally disappointed in the scout, actually.” If that’s the case, then Maddon would be upset with a half-dozen AL and NL scouts who simply don’t see a big difference in Heyward from last year, although they all admit his stance and setup have been altered. Heyward was 5-for-35 (.143) this spring heading into Sunday night’s Cactus League game after hitting .230 with a .306 on-base percentage last season, which prompted him to get benched for a portion of the playoffs. Since then, Heyward has worked as hard as anyone in baseball -- no one disputes this -- in an attempt to regain his swing from 2012, when he hit a career-high 27 home runs for the Atlanta Braves. Following the 2012 season, many in baseball believe his swing and approach changed, partly because he moved from the middle of the order to the leadoff spot. Maddon will hit him much lower in the lineup to start the 2017 season. But, despite the fact that his stance and setup look different, scouts still see the same swing path. “He has an arm bar [straight arm] and he’s late,” one NL scout said. “When you’re late, everything breaks down.” Others echoed those exact sentiments, although, to be fair, no scout has seen all of Heyward’s at-bats and few had seen him in batting practice. That’s where one is most likely to see Heyward’s progress, given he has launched balls

over the fence in a manner he has not done previously as a Cub. The "arm bar" isn’t apparent and his timing obviously isn’t an issue in BP, but that progress hasn’t carried over to spring games yet. “He’s such a hard worker and spring is the time to work it all out,” another NL scout stated. “I’m optimistic. So let’s see how he does in the regular season.” That scout was only one of seven who spoke with ESPN.com who voiced such optimism, but there won’t be a clear answer on Heyward until he gets a good amount of regular-season at-bats. In terms of looking for a change, those scouts who watched him play this spring didn’t see the progress they thought they might after a winter of work. Meanwhile, the Cubs say he just needs to get his rhythm and timing down. “I think he’s hit the ball pretty good,” Maddon said. “He’s been a bad-luck guy this camp.” The bad luck reasoning probably won’t resonate with fans -- it was used a lot last season, as well -- though Maddon did point out some of his tougher at-bats this spring have come against left-handed pitchers. Plus, two hits and two RBIs against Team Japan on Saturday don’t count towards his spring stats, so the eye test is the only real indicator right now. Simply put, several scouts don’t like what they’re seeing. “When there is no tension [in his swing], it’s fine,” another NL scout said. “When it’s a muscle swing, it’s long and late.” Others got even more technical in indicating his flaws but ultimately it sounds like there is a disconnect between what those scouts are seeing and what Maddon is observing, or perhaps neither side is necessarily wrong when you consider it’s a work in progress. There have been more balls hit in the air by Heyward, so maybe it’s just a matter of perspective. Maddon is adamant about his. “I think he looks entirely different,” he stated. Even the scouts who had doubts admitted spring isn’t the time to pass judgment, but that day is coming. Coincidentally, Kyle Schwarber played right field in several games recently, as Maddon indicated he could play there in stadiums with smaller areas to cover on that side of the outfield. He didn’t say if that meant Heyward would be on the bench or in center, but common sense would dictate that between Schwarber’s return and the emergence of Javier Baez at the plate, Heyward may not have a long leash this season. Though there is zero debate over Heyward's exemplary work ethic and character, and only time will tell if he is able to achieve the comeback season he desires. “It might not be a finished product right now," one NL Central scout said. "But I know he’ll work every day to get there." -- CSNChicago.com Why Joe Maddon And The Geek Department Think This Cubs Lineup Could Be More Explosive Than Last Year’s Team By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – The Geek Department has spoken, reaffirming Cubs manager Joe Maddon's belief that Kyle Schwarber should be the leadoff guy atop another monster lineup projected to score more runs than the 2016 World Series champions. "I'm all about the geeks," Maddon said. "Everybody should have their own geek."

Before the Cubs even reported to Arizona for camp, Maddon assigned a project to the research-and-development wing inside Theo Epstein's front office, asking what the simulations looked like with Schwarber at leadoff and the pitcher hitting eighth in front of Jon Jay or Albert Almora Jr. "Really hot, really hot," Maddon said. "If that number's right, I'll take it." Would that projection be north of 800 runs? "I didn't get an actual overall number," Maddon said. "I got a per-game number. That's what I like." Maddon sort of smirked when asked if the per-game average would be north of five: "I don't know. It's a good number." The Cubs led every National League team except for the Colorado Rockies with 808 runs scored last season. Pitcher Mike Montgomery batted eighth in Sunday's prime-time lineup against the Kansas City Royals at Sloan Park, where 2 through 7 the Cubs looked like an Opening Night cast: Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Willson Contreras and Jason Heyward. The Cubs are banking on a full season/good health with Schwarber, Heyward not being one of the worst hitters in the majors and continued growth from their young talent. Even with Dexter Fowler taking his you-go, we-go act to the St. Louis Cardinals, the internal forecast has the 2017 Cubs scoring more runs than last year's 103-win team. "With Schwarber hitting first, yeah," Maddon said. "I think that's accurate. I don't remember that number being on last year's lineup. They gave me a sheet with different scenarios. It was pretty heavy. "Dexter was awesome, obviously. But (it's) Schwarber with the power potential, the home runs coming out of that spot with the extra at-bats, the natural rebounding of Jason. You just think that Jason's going to be a better hitter, production-wise, than last year, (plus) some of the younger guys, like Willson as an example, in his second year in the big leagues. "I've been talking about bearing down on defense and pitching, because I think naturally the hitting's going to get better, based on these guys are good and they have more experience. "All those things indicate that if we set it up this way, we should have a pretty good offensive year, especially against a right-handed pitcher." Schwarber might get the day off against tough lefties, which would push the pitcher back down to the ninth spot. But the Cubs aren't an NL West team that will regularly have to face a Clayton Kershaw or a Madison Bumgarner. And the facts on the ground are constantly changing. "I talk to the guys upstairs: 'This is what I'm thinking. Tell me where I'm wrong,'" Maddon said. "Like I said a couple years ago when Schwarber finally came up, I thought of hitting Schwarber first there and Dexter second. But they insisted the other way around. They were right. "So, listen, I have no problem with that stuff. Believe me, that's the one thing I have learned: You can have all the great feelings in the world. It still might not be the right thing. Like a guy comes up to me and says: 'I have a good feeling about today.' Oh my God, I want to run. "How do you know? There are so many times I've come to the ballpark, felt like crap, and we'll play the best game of the year. That has no correlation. You can feel all you want. (But) they gave me some solid information. I'm open for all that stuff." While "Bryzzo," an American League-style lineup and a franchise built around hitters drew more attention, the Cubs rolled up a plus-252 run differential last year with consistent pitching and the best defensive unit in the majors, meaning this could actually be a different dimension for the defending champs.

"Everybody talked about the offense," Maddon said. "We pitched and caught the ball so well that the differential spread based on that. It wasn't just purely beating people up offensively." -- CSNChicago.com Already A Cubs Legend, Kyle Schwarber Laughs Off The Critics Of His Outfield Defense By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – The legend of Kyle Schwarber began here during a pre-draft meeting with Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jason McLeod three years ago. The Indiana University baseball team had traveled to Arizona for the Pac-12-Big Ten Challenge and worked out at the new spring-training complex. The Cubs got a sit-down interview with "Bash Brothers" Schwarber and Sam Travis, a Providence Catholic High School graduate who's now a top prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization. Up in an office, Schwarber told his future bosses: "It really f------ pisses me off when people say I can't catch." That pretty much sums up Schwarber's attitude now that the questions keep coming about his outfield defense. "Oh yeah, it's still the same," Schwarber said. "That's just how I am as a person. I've always been raised on: Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something." Like when the draft gurus view you as a reach with the fourth overall pick, or the medical experts call it a season-ending injury after a full-speed collision. This is someone who blasted five playoff homers during his first full season in professional baseball, and put up a .971 OPS in the World Series, roughly six months after major reconstructive surgery on his left knee. But the Cubs could really set the bar at: Don't crash into your center fielder. The combination of Albert Almora Jr. and Jon Jay will be a defensive upgrade over Dexter Fowler. Schwarber doesn't have to be Jason Heyward in left field when he's crushing the ball into the Allegheny River. The Cubs are actually looking at places where Schwarber can start in right field – like PNC Park during that 2015 wild-card game – and sub out for a late-game defensive replacement. So, no, the Cubs aren't exactly worried about a step back on that side of the ball after leading the majors in defensive efficiency. "I think our defense is going to be as good this year," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "I think Kyle had two bad games at the wrong time on a big stage in 2015. He was fine out there the rest of the time. We're just excited to get his bat in the lineup. We're excited to have his makeup in the lineup every day. "His outfield defense – the concerns are more from people who only watched him on the national stage. He was fine in '15. We know Almora and Jay are both really good defenders. Otherwise, the defense on our team is going to be the same around the diamond. I think we'll be really good again defensively." Schwarber's lowest defensive moments came against a team from the media capital of the world. But getting swept by the New York Mets had been a team-wide breakdown in every phase of the game, the Cubs never leading at any point during that National League Championship Series. "You get a label," Schwarber said. "That's just the general conception whenever you're a new player and you hit national TV and then you have a hiccup or two. "But I laugh at it. I think it's funny. That's just what happens. I can't be too worried about it. I'm not going to let that change the way I feel about being an outfielder. I feel like I make good plays out there.

"Any outfielder's going to make a mistake. And if I'm going to make a mistake, it's going to be an aggressive mistake. It's not going to be a passive mistake." Remember how Dave McKay once coached up Alfonso Soriano and helped turn him into a competent outfielder. The Cubs aren't trying to develop the next Andre Dawson here. At this point, why would anyone bet against Schwarber? "A couple years ago, there was some negative stuff said about him (and) I think that was totally unfounded," manager Joe Maddon said. "He had a couple tough plays (and) everybody encounters a moment where they don't make the right decision, diving (and) the ball (gets by you). "I'm confident with him. The leg's good. He runs better than you think, even with that brace on. He knows good routes. He throws well. I think he's going to really surprise a lot of people that have been down (on him), because I think he's going to be a really good outfielder." -- CSNChicago.com Cubs Aren’t Overreacting To Hector Rondon’s Performance In World Baseball Classic By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – This won’t be the mantra printed across Joe Maddon’s next line of T-shirts – or on any of the yoga gear sold in the pop-up shops directly outside the Cubs clubhouse here – but it summed up Hector Rondon’s performance with Team Venezuela: "F--- it, it is what it is." Overall, Rondon still appreciated the opportunity to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, even though he experienced a meltdown against Team USA and the Venezuelans didn’t advance to the semifinals at Dodger Stadium. "Any time you go to represent your country and be there for those fans, it’s fun," Rondon said Sunday, returning to the Sloan Park complex with a positive attitude. "I know I had a bad outing that day. I enjoyed playing with those guys." Rondon couldn’t protect a one-run, eighth-inning lead last week in San Diego, giving up home runs to Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer as the Americans rallied for a 4-2 win at Petco Park and eventually escaped the second round of the international showcase. Rondon got five outs for Team Venezuela, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks in two appearances combined. "Everything is working good, my arm, my velocity," Rondon said. "I just missed a couple pitches, and that’s it. "Those hitters are really good and they know me. I don’t know that much about them, but now I know. I’m really happy. I know I didn’t have the success that I wanted there, but still in my heart and my mind, I’m really happy." This will be magnified with Rondon after the Cubs traded for Aroldis Chapman and Wade Davis and Maddon bumped his ex-closer from the circle of trust during last year’s World Series run. The Cubs still believe Rondon is healthy and ready to contribute to what should be a lights-out bullpen. "He said he feels great, and that’s all I want to hear," Maddon said. "We’ll fine-tune the location of his pitches, because the other day he said he had great stuff. It was just in a bad spot, (and) he knows that, so he’s very accountable about the other night. He feels like he knows what he needs to do to fix it. I love that. I like the upbeat nature." --