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FEBRUARY 17 • MLB.COM
CHICAGO CUBS
34-26 · 2020 1ST IN NL CENTRAL
Next Game at Padres · Today 3:10PM
CHC +119
Hendricks' aim? 'Consistent force' for Cubs Kyle Hendricks typically takes a couple months off after a season before he picks up a baseball. There was nothing typical about last year,...
Jake Arrieta back with Cubs, finalizes $6M, 1-year contract Jake Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract on Wednesday.
FEBRUARY 17 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Jake Arrieta back with Cubs, finalizes $6M, 1-year contract CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract on Wednesday.
FEBRUARY 17 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM
Jake Arrieta back with Cubs, finalizes $6M, 1-year contract Jake Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract
FEBRUARY 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moves to COVID list official The Cubs officially placed Ryan on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer hinted Tuesday that Ryan would be a late arrival to spring training due to COVID-19 protocols. It isn't clear whether Ryan tested positive for the virus or was deemed a close contact of an infected person or persons, making his timeline for rejoining the Cubs murky. Ryan's move to the IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly-signed Jake Arrieta.
FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE
AP sources: Chicago Cubs agree to deals with Workman, Strop CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs bolstered their pitching depth Wednesday, agreeing to contracts with veteran relievers Brandon Workman and Pedro Str...
FEBRUARY 17 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM
AP sources: Chicago Cubs agree to deals with Workman, Strop The Cubs bolstered their pitching depth Wednesday, agreeing to contracts with veteran relievers Brandon Workman and Pedro Strop.
FEBRUARY 17 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
AP sources: Chicago Cubs agree to deals with Workman, Strop The Chicago Cubs have agreed to contracts with veteran relievers Brandon Workman and Pedro Strop
FEBRUARY 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reliever Brandon Workman reportedly signs a 1-year deal with the Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer hinted the team was close to signing a free-agent reliever. Less than 24 hours later, the team agreed to a...
FEBRUARY 17 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Back with Cubs Strop signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Wednesday as a non-roster invitee, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact Strop signed with the Cubs for the final month of the 2020 season, and he'll return to the team to compete for a major-league roster spot during spring training. The right-hander failed to appear in the big leagues with Chicago last year but has made 54 relief appearances with the Cubs and Reds over the past two seasons. During that time, he posted a 4.91 ERA and 52:26 K:BB over 44 innings.
FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE
Reaches deal with Cubs Workman agreed Wednesday with the Cubs on a one-year, $1 million contract that includes an additional $2 million in incentives, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Impact President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer hinted in a conference call Tuesday the team was looking to add another veteran piece to the bullpen, and the Cubs appear to have found their man in Workman. While Craig Kimbrel and Rowan Wick (intercostal) look to be first in line for save chances out of the bullpen, Workman should be one of the top closers in waiting among the Cubs' remaining relief options. The 32-year-old endured a tough 2020 season while splitting time between Boston and Philadelphia (5.95 ERA, 2.24 WHIP in 21 appearances), but he was one of baseball's most effective late-inning arms in 2019. While serving as Boston's closer for a portion of that season, Workman notched 16 saves and submitted a 1.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 104 strikeouts over 71.2 innings.
FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE
Cubs 2021 prospect rankings: Keith Law on Chicago's top 20 The Cubs' farm system has been on the decline, but there are some very good arms here, including many potential starters.
FEBRUARY 17 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Unlikely to lead off The Cubs are likely to use Ian Happ as their leadoff hitter to begin the season instead of Pederson, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Impact Pederson batted first 249 times during his seven seasons with the Dodgers, but Chicago manager David Ross said he's likely going to stick with Happ, who was the team's primary leadoff hitter last season. Pederson should still play regularly in left field, essentially replacing the departed Kyle Schwarber, and get plenty of opportunities to produce at the plate.
FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE
Likely to lead off Happ will likely reprise his role as the Cubs' primary leadoff hitter in 2021, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Impact The Cubs added Joc Pederson during the offseason, and the former Dodger made 249 appearances in the leadoff spot during his seven seasons in Los Angeles. However, Chicago manager David Ross plans on sticking with Happ atop the order. Happ led off 37 times in 2020 and slashed .258/.361/.505 on the season with 12 home runs, 27 runs scored and 28 RBI.
FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE
Could have flexible role this year Stewart could work as both a starter and a reliever as the Cubs consider the idea of a more flexible six-man rotation, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact Coming off the shortened 2020 season, the Cubs and other teams have to figure out how to manage starters' workloads over a longer schedule, and Chicago may deploy a six-man rotation as a result. Stewart, who opted out of the 2020 season, worked as a starter in limited time with Minnesota in 2018 and 2019. However, the Cubs may use him in more of a swing role between the bullpen and rotation.
FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE
Unlikely to be traded before season Bryant is unlikely to be traded during spring training but could get moved before the trade deadline, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Impact Bryant and the Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $19.5 million deal in January, so his outlook in Chicago beyond 2021 is certainly unclear. With the organization already dealing Yu Darvish and moving on from Jon Lester and Jose Quintana, it's certainly possible that Bryant gets traded as part of a full-on rebuild. However, it seems like any potential deal won't come until sometime in the summer and could hinge on how the Cubs perform to start the season.
FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE
The Cubs are sticking with Kris Bryant (for now). Check back at trade deadline According to team president Jed Hoyer, it's unlikely the Cubs will make any big moves before Opening Day.
FEBRUARY 16 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Cubs' Hoyer to discuss futures with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo CHICAGO (AP) — Jed Hoyer plans to chat with Kris Bryant about his future during spring training. Also on deck for the top baseball executive...
FEBRUARY 16 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM
Cubs’ Hoyer to discuss futures with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo Jed Hoyer plans to chat with Kris Bryant about his future during spring training. Also on deck for the top baseball executive for the Chicag...
FEBRUARY 16 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Cubs' Hoyer to discuss futures with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo Jed Hoyer plans to chat with Kris Bryant about his future during spring training
FEBRUARY 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Column: David Ross says he was ‘a little too patient’ in his 1st year as Chicago Cubs manager. He vows to be himself more in 2021. After an offseason pondering what went right and wrong in 2020, David Ross enters Year 2 as Chicago Cubs manager with a better understanding...
FEBRUARY 16 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Indians sign reliever Blake Parker to minor league deal The Indians have signed veteran reliever Blake Parker to a minor league contract
FEBRUARY 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Braves beat shortstop Dansby Swanson in salary arbitration The Atlanta Braves beat Dansby Swanson in salary arbitration, and the shortstop will earn $6 million rather than his request for $6.7 million
FEBRUARY 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs President Denies Kris Bryant Trade Rumors The Cubs aren't starting a fire sale anytime soon despite sending Yu Darvish to San Diego.
FEBRUARY 16 • SI.COM
Officially named closer Kimbrel was listed as the Cubs' closer by manager David Ross on Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Impact Kimbrel's pedigree gives him the inside track on the job, though his performance since joining the Cubs in the middle of the 2019 season means his grip on the role may not be too firm. In 36 innings for Chicago, he owns a 6.00 ERA, with his 35.2 percent strikeout rate proving insufficient when combined with a 14.5 percent walk rate and 2.8 HR/9. He can safely be drafted as if he'll be the team's closer on Opening Day following Ross' vote of confidence, especially as top alternative Rowan Wick is dealing with an intercostal strain, but he'll need much better numbers if he's to keep hold of the job.
FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE
