Dansby Swanson stood in entrance of his new locker for the spring, not understanding who beforehand used the stall.
His connection to Jason Heyward precedes signing with the Chicago Cubs within the offseason. Although Heyward is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Swanson mirrored on their bond Wednesday.
“It’s funny, I remember hearing all the stories about him when he was 16 playing up at East Cobb (Georgia), and I was, I don’t know, like 10 or 11, but we’ve developed such a great relationship,” Swanson stated. “He’s been awesome for me. … He’s a tremendous human. He’s definitely someone I’m grateful that I can learn from.”
Swanson linked with Heyward through the offseason to achieve perception not solely about taking part in for the Cubs however what it’s wish to transition from taking part in for his or her hometown Atlanta Braves and perceive what life is like on the opposite facet. The Cubs don’t maintain their first full exercise till Monday, however President Jed Hoyer and basic supervisor Carter Hawkins addressed the media for the primary time Wednesday.
1. The Cubs aren’t setting a tough deadline for contract extensions — a minimum of not but.
Hoyer famous by the offseason that he prefers avoiding contract-extension talks throughout camp in an effort to restrict the influence on gamers. Hoyer just isn’t taking a tough line on ending contract conversations with spring coaching having kicked off Wednesday with the primary official exercise. Without mentioning Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner by identify, Hoyer acknowledged the crew has had good dialogue with either side and added “there’s definitely positive conversations.”
“We’re not going to just cut it off because we’re here today,” Hoyer stated. “My preference is really not to get towards the end of spring training and get to a place where I feel like it’s affecting the preparation and mentality for the season. I do think that has happened, I’ve seen that happen before. So that’s something we’ll be aware of and we’ve talked to both camps about.”
Happ and Hoerner match the profile of who is smart to increase. Notably, the Cubs haven’t agreed to a contract extension since Kyle Hendricks (March 2019) and David Bote (April 2019).
2. Cubs are open to a closer-by-committee strategy.
Over the ultimate two months of the 2022 season, supervisor David Ross tinkered with matchup-based nearer alternatives after the Cubs traded David Robertson. Hoyer described it as an academic and instructive expertise for Ross.
“He’s always had a more set closer so I thought he did a great job with that,” Hoyer stated. “I’d expect some of that but it’s always nice to have that certainty of role for all the pitchers down there. So I’m sure that will be part of his thinking as well. But we’ll see how that plays out.”
Ten gamers recorded a minimum of one save for the Cubs final season. Brandon Hughes, Rowan Wick and Mark Leiter Jr. once more could possibly be a part of that blend together with offseason additions Julian Merryweather, Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer.
“Somebody will get the majority of those opportunities — I think those things play out through spring training and the season,” Ross stated. “We’ve got a lot of talented pitchers down there and some guys that are continuing to make names for themselves. I’m excited about watching them compete for it.”
3. Kyle Hendricks possible received’t be prepared for the beginning of the season.
The Cubs are making ready to be with out Hendricks at first of the 12 months.
The veteran right-hander remains to be within the long-toss part of his rehab buildup, however the hope is he throws off a mound quickly for the primary time in roughly seven months. Hendricks has been the Cubs’ opening-day starter the earlier three seasons.
“We know he’s going to be delayed,” Hoyer stated. “We’ll have a variety of discussions about how a lot … we’ll see when he comes again. But an important factor is getting him again to him pitching like Kyle Hendricks, and we’re keen to attend a short time for that.
“We certainly wish we had Kyle. Obviously he’s been excellent for a long time. Last year early in the season when we did have (rotation) injuries we weren’t ready for it from a farm system standpoint, from a depth standpoint, and that’s a huge emphasis for us.”
The Cubs nonetheless want to debate whether or not reliever Codi Heuer (Tommy John surgical procedure), who threw a bullpen Wednesday, will open on the 60-day injured checklist. When he does return, Heuer’s workload will likely be managed by the season, Hoyer stated. Heuer hasn’t pitched since September 2021 after present process surgical procedure in March.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com