February 9, 2015

, and give Cubs' rotation huge shot in arm http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spt-0208-20150207-story.html#page=1

 Chicago Tribune, says Cubs still interested in a 'prize' — http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-james-shields-joe-maddon-cubs-spt-0207- 20150206-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon crusades to his hometown http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-joe-maddon-hazleton-cubs-spt-0208-20150207- story.html#page=1

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs invite 19 non-roster players to http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-invitees-spring-training-20150206-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Mark Grote lands Cubs radio job http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-mark-grote-cubs-radio-job-20150206-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Ex-Dodger avoids jail in fraud case with plea agreement http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/la-sp-dn-ex-dodger-ted-lilly-insurance-fraud-case- 20150206-story.html

 Daily Herald, Strop, Cubs agree to one-year deal http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150206/sports/150209065/

 Cubs.com, Young talent headed to Cubs' big league camp http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/108552694/kris-bryant-addison-russell-among-19-cubs-non-roster- invitees-to-spring-training

 Cubs.com, Rizzo makes donation to cancer center http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/108535242/cubs-anthony-rizzo-makes-donation-to-university-of-miami- cancer-center

 Cubs.com, Cubs, Strop avoid arbitration with 1-year deal http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/108481134/cubs-pedro-strop-avoid-arbitration-with-1-year-deal

 Cubs.com, Dernier's favorite players: Shark, Barney and Fuld http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/108617968/bobby-derniers-favorite-players-jeff-samardzija-darwin- barney-sam-fuld

 ESPNChicago.com, How would Shields fit with Cubs? http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/28659/how-would-shields-fit-with-cubs

 ESPNChicago.com, Manfred talks Maddon tampering, http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/28649/manfred-talks-maddon-tampering-wrigley-field

 CSNChicago.com, Bryant, Russell headline Cubs' list of non-roster invitees http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/bryant-russell-headline-cubs-list-non-roster-invitees

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Chicago Tribune Jon Lester and Jason Hammel give Cubs' rotation huge shot in arm By Colleen Kane

Whether the Cubs or White Sox won the offseason is really a determination that should be made as their moves play out on the field, but there's little doubt the teams at least won the attention of the baseball world.

The clubs posted identical 73-89 records in 2014, but their many roster adjustments have both sides of town looking for much improvement as spring training preparations begin.

Here's a recap of some of the additions and subtractions since the end of the 2014 season.

Cubs Pitching

Additions

LH Jon Lester: The Cubs won the sweepstakes for the 31-year-old free agent with a franchise-record six-year, $155 million contract and the allure of trying to help the club end its drought.

RH Jason Hammel: The Cubs opted to reunite with Hammel just five months after the starter was traded to the A's, agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract that includes a club option.

RH : The former Cardinals closer joined the Cubs on a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the hopes of a revival after elbow surgery in 2013.

Subtractions

RH Kyuji Fujikawa: The Cubs declined their team option on the 34-year-old reliever, who spent most of the last two seasons recovering from an elbow injury.

RH : He was dealt to the Astros to help acquire .

RH Carlos Villanueva: The 31-year-old filed for free agency and signed a minor league contract with the Cardinals.

RH Arodys Vizcaino: He was traded to the Braves in November.

LH Wesley Wright: The Cubs declined to tender a contract to Wright, and he latched on with the Orioles .

Position players

Additions

OF : Joined the Cubs on a one-year, $2.6 million deal. He can platoon in left field, back up all three outfield positions and be a veteran clubhouse presence.

OF Dexter Fowler: The switch-hitting center fielder was acquired in a trade with the Astros for Straily and Luis Valbuena.

INF Tommy La Stella: The 26-year-old left-handed hitter joined the Cubs via a trade with the Braves in November.

C : The Cubs sent two minor leaguers to the Diamondbacks to acquire the two-time All-Star, who has three years and $40 million left on his contract.

C : The 37-year-old veteran was reunited with Lester on a two-year, $5 million deal to be the backup .

Subtractions

C John Baker: The Cubs declined to tender a contract to Baker, who signed a minor league contract with the Mariners.

OF Ryan Kalish: Elected free agency rather than be outrighted to the minors.

OF Justin Ruggiano: The Cubs traded Ruggiano to the Mariners for minor league Matt Brazis in December.

INF Luis Valbuena: He was one of the trade costs to obtain Fowler from the Astros.

Manager

Addition

Joe Maddon: A two-time of the year while with the Rays, Maddon was introduced as manager Nov. 3.

Subtraction

Rick Renteria: He lasted only a year on the North Side as the Cubs couldn't pass up the chance to hire Maddon.

Other notables on 40-man roster: Claimed LH Joseph Ortiz, LH Drake Britton off waivers.

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Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon says Cubs still interested in a 'prize' — James Shields By Colleen Kane

James Shields remains the biggest free agent on the market as spring training approaches, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon, for one, thinks the right-hander would be "a nice prize" to win.

Maddon told the MLB Network Radio show "Inside Pitch" on Friday that he and Cubs President Theo Epstein have talked this offseason about Shields, a 33-year-old top tier starter who is expected to pick a team as soon as this weekend.

"From day one, I've been talking about James," said Maddon, who managed Shields while they were both with the Rays. "Wouldn't that be a nice prize or present? Shieldsy — a tremendous competitor. You've heard me talk about him in the past. Even when Jon Lester came on board, we were talking (about him) even before that."

Speculation has arisen that the Cubs could be interested following a CSN Chicago report this week that said the club was "kicking the tires" on Shields, who was 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 starts and 227 last season with the Royals.

Adding Shields to an offseason haul that includes Lester and his six-year, $155 million contract would be impressive. But the question could be asked whether such an acquisition would hurt their ability to go after another top-flight starter next season and/or if it would be worth it.

Epstein didn't respond to a message asking for comment Friday.

Several other teams also are said to have interest, and that pool may expand if his price has plummeted, given that he still is unsigned this late in the offseason. Several analysts have suggested the Padres may emerge the winner of the quietly conducted matchmaking venture. Shields resides in the San Diego area.

Spring training invitations: The Cubs announced Friday that they have invited 19 non-roster players to spring training, which begins when and report to Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 19.

Nine pitchers were on the list: right-handers , Corey Black, Anthony Carter, Jorge De Leon, Pierce Johnson, Armando Rivero and Donn Roach and left-handers and Hunter Cervenka.

Infielders , Jonathan Herrera, , Chris Valaika and Logan Watkins, , Mike Baxter and Adron Chambers and catchers and Taylor Teagarden also have been invited.

Watkins, however, will not be working out as he announced on Twitter that he tore his Achilles' tendon during a pre-spring training workout in Arizona.

Pitchers and catchers will have their first workout on Feb. 20. Position players report Feb. 24, with the first full- squad workout the following day.

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Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon crusades to save his hometown By Chris Hine

HAZLETON, Pa. — Cubs manager Joe Maddon often speaks of his hometown with a folksy flair.

Take his opening news conference as Cubs manager when he told the bartender at the Cubby Bear to get everyone "a shot and a beer, the Hazleton way." It was a nod to the blue-collar town built by immigrants tucked away in the hills of northeastern Pennsylvania where coal miners would frequent neighborhood bars after their shifts. Maddon, 60, grew up there in an apartment over his father's plumbing store.

His mom still works at the Third Base Luncheonette, a popular hoagie-haven that has been in the Maddon family since 1949.

But as Maddon will tell you, Hazleton was a town in distress.

"My city was dying," Maddon said.

So he set out to save it.

The Hazleton of 2015 is much different from the town Maddon knew in his youth. It was a melting pot of families from different European countries that had arrived in waves around the turn of the 20th century.

Then the population began to shift. The 2000 census showed that 94.7 percent of Hazleton's 23,329 people were white, only 4.9 percent claimed Hispanic heritage. In 2010, the total population increased to 25,340. The proportion of whites decreased to 69.4 while Hispanics rose to 37.3 percent.

The growth reflected what was happening around the country, though Hazleton's Hispanic population surge outpaced that of the U.S. In 2010, the Hispanic population in the U.S. was 16 percent, up from 13 percent in 2000 while in Illinois in 2010 it was 15.8 percent, a 32.5 percent increase from 2000.

Some were Mexican, some were Puerto Rican but most were Dominican. They came looking for jobs.

At the juncture of Interstates 80 and 81, Hazleton, once a mining town, had become attractive to manufacturing and warehousing companies in the 2000s because of the ease with which companies could ship goods into and out of the area. That meant low-paying blue-collar jobs were available.

Crime also increased and the white population, some of whom feared the newcomers would take their jobs, pinned the problems on the new residents. But as police chief Frank DeAndrea said, crime was up across the board — and across all races — because of growing drug and gang problems. Still, the perception lingered that the Hispanic community was primarily responsible for the increase in crime.

"You can't walk your dog at night. You can't leave your doors open. You can't leave your windows open," said Jim Grohol, 61, owner of a local diner, Jimmy's Quick Lunch. "Even though we had an influx of people, which is great, the people who want to come for a better life, unfortunately, the bad element came with them."

Maddon, who still has firm roots in Hazleton and visits there often, didn't see it that way.

"There has been a lot of crime going on in Hazleton forever and there are people who have been born and bred here that have been creating a lot of problems," Maddon said. "Just don't blame it on this group coming in."

But many did. After two illegal immigrants were charged with killing a white Hazleton resident in 2006, City Hall took unprecedented action to pacify its white constituency (the charges against the men were dropped later).

Led by then-mayor Lou Barletta, who Maddon counts as a "good friend," Hazleton passed an ordinance called the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, which drew national and international news coverage. The act would have fined businesses and landlords for employing or renting to illegal immigrants. The council also passed an ordinance making English the official language of Hazleton.

Animosity percolated and all Hispanics felt the heat.

"In the beginning people were scared," said Demetrio Juarez, a 13-year resident who owns El Mariachi, a local Mexican restaurant. "You try to make a living and something like that comes and it's scary."

But the ordinance, which never was enforced after multiple court rulings declared it unconstitutional, proved so popular in northeastern Pennsylvania that Barletta was elected to Congress in 2010. Joe Yannuzzi, the city council president who also was a vocal supporter of the ordinance, replaced Barletta as Hazleton's mayor.

"They thought we hate the Hispanics and the Hispanics hate us. That's far from truth," Yannuzzi said. "There are Hispanics who are here illegally and that's who we targeted. And I think the Hispanic community understands that because from 2006-2010 our population grew. … If they hated us for what we were doing they sure didn't show it."

Despite the tension Hispanics kept coming to Hazleton.

"People just wait for the opportunity to say, 'I don't like you. You are Latino. You are illegal. You don't speak the language. Go back to your banana country,'" said Amilcar Arroyo, president of El Mensajero, a bilingual Hazleton media company. "In those years, Latinos started moving in but they never were afraid."

Watching all this unfold while he was manager of the , Maddon was conflicted.

He had spent most of his professional career in baseball working with Hispanic players. But he also grew up in Hazleton and knew the people supporting the ordinance.

"I really honestly didn't know what to think because I wasn't 'boots on the ground,'" Maddon said. "You're reading all this stuff. My initial reaction at that time, being so pro-Hispanic, I just needed to find out what was really going on. Why are we attempting to push these people away? Why are we pinning all the problems of this area on them?"

It was tough for him to digest the issues.

"Joe's a boy scout. Joe's the guy who says Hazleton is the greatest place in the world," said Bob Curry, who is married to Maddon's cousin Elaine. "So for him to hear these negative comments by people he knew for a long time was perplexing and disturbing."

Normally when Maddon visited Hazleton, Curry said, he wouldn't stay long enough to soak in what was happening there. But on one trip home in 2010, Maddon stayed for an extended period. Elaine and Bob invited Maddon over to dinner at the home of some of their Hispanic friends.

What Maddon saw inspired him to work for change. He saw how close their extended family was and it reminded him of his experience growing up with siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins all playing a big role in his life.

"Growing up, it was totally interconnected," Maddon said of his youth. "Everyone was involved so you had this support system and you were raised by the entire group, not just one person."

He concluded the ordinance was threatening to tear the town apart.

"After I learned more, I could not be in agreement with everything," Maddon said.

But he still struggled reconciling the people he knew in Hazleton — old classmates, former teammates, friends growing up — with how they all could push away the new population.

"They're the friendliest people you ever met," Maddon said. "They'll do anything for you. It's hard to explain that this group of people that would give you, literally, the shirt off their back and are very religious, (would) push people away.

To Maddon, the key was getting the newcomers and the longtime residents to interact. So he and others formed the Hazleton Integration Project (HIP) with a mission to promote positive relationships with the Hispanic population through community activities.

"The group that had been here did not know the group that was coming in and, of course, the group coming in didn't know the group that was here," Maddon said. "I just thought, what can happen here if you truly pull from that same end of the rope and wanted to understand one another? The potential is limitless."

But how to harness that potential?

"It's a lot like a baseball team, about developing and creating relationships," Maddon said. "Everybody is looking for complicated answers to questions. … But actually meeting people, that's the key more than anything we can possibly do."

After scouting several buildings, HIP secured one on 4th Street — the former Catholic school of the parish of the same name, Most Precious Blood. The organization took the 25 bare classrooms and has transformed it over the last two years.

It's still a small outfit – there are just three paid employees working for HIP – but they promote interaction among the different groups through the community center and events held in conjunction with HIP.

A donor supplied 20 Apple computers that assist in tutoring programs for kids after school. All the books in the library were donated. The classrooms are used to teach English as a second language, which is a major obstacle in bringing white and Hispanic groups together.

There's a day-care space where the children can paint on the walls and a boxing room that is by former heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon, a Pennsylvania native. HIP also sponsored a 500-person unity walk last summer with the purpose of encouraging people to meet their neighbors, especially if they are of different ethnic backgrounds.

The center is used by all people in Hazleton, white and Hispanic alike, but HIP gears a lot of its attention toward children. By encouraging interaction among children, HIP hopes the good vibes rub off on the adults.

"There was always a divide," said Tim Genetti, who works in commercial estate in Hazleton. "And Joe Maddon has been the person trying to put the pieces together. The center is truly a beautiful thing for our community. It helps all ages. I'm so glad this has taken off."

In December, just before Christmas, Maddon returned home to attend several HIP fundraisers.

Dec. 19 was the big night. Here's where the two Hazletons came together and showed where the issues plaguing the town were more gray than black and white.

There were 656 people at a banquet to benefit HIP, Curry said, including several who had supported the illegal immigrant ordinance that was passed.

Yannuzzi was there shaking hands. So was Barletta and many local businessmen, some of whom had supported the ordinance. But here they all were, donating and helping raise money for HIP in the name of promoting a better future for all of Hazleton's residents.

"(Maddon) is probably the best to do this," Yannuzzi said. "He's the best. I'm the mayor of Hazleton and I can go down and talk to all the Hispanics I want to and (say), 'Come on, let's get together.' But they're not going to."

Mike Palermo, a local chiropractor, attended the dinner and said HIP was bound to have a positive impact on the community.

"Joe has pulled the businesses together to help get this going. Joe's done a great thing," Palermo said. "He loves the area and he's trying to help the area go in a positive direction.

"There's a big drug problem here and I think what he's trying to do is eventually going to have an impact on breaking that down a little bit."

Maddon, battling a cold, didn't let his illness slow him down. In the event's fourth year, Maddon and HIP only hoped for a night as big as this.

"The subtle differences now are the people who attend our events, they say, 'Great job. Thank you for what you're doing for your hometown.'" Maddon said. "In the beginning it was, "What are you thinking? It'll never work. You must be crazy. Joe, why do you like these people?'"

Indeed not everyone viewed Maddon as a hero.

Grohol said some of his regular customers aren't huge fans of what Maddon is trying to do. Some resent him for it.

"The talk over the counter — that's exactly what they say," Grohol said. "They say, 'Oh he doesn't live here. He doesn't know what it's like to live here. He needs to find out.'"

Yannuzzi chracterized that attitude as territorial.

"(They say) he's an enabler," Yannuzzi said. "He's enabling (the illegal Hispanic community) to stay. He's giving them reason to be here and hope. They don't like that."

Grohol himself has a more pessimistic outlook on HIP.

"He's blind a little bit," Grohol said. "He's dealing with multi-million dollar athletes, even though they're Latino. We're dealing with people who — don't turn around or they'll steal the pants off you. Though that's only one small part of it."

Maddon brushes off the skeptics and said he can see the impact HIP is having on the community each time he returns to town.

"I just have a lot of self-confidence when I see something that's the right thing to do," Maddon said. "And I see this as the right thing to do."

He said attitudes are changing despite initial doubts from people he knew and considered friends.

"They come up to me and shake my hand, talk to me about it (and say), 'Nice job thank you for what you're doing for our community.' I didn't hear it that much in the beginning," Maddon said. "And quite frankly I didn't care. It didn't bother me if I did or I didn't."

Several in the community credit Maddon for making Hazleton a better place, both white and Hispanic. His celebrity helps with that.

"Whereas we were getting a lot of pushback in the beginning now there's a lot more acceptance," he said.

Said Arroyo: "Here, people trust in Joe Maddon. He's a star."

Said Yannuzzi: "(Hispanic people) get motivated by him. That's going to break the barrier. We're not. We've been trying."

The skeptics remain. But there are signs of hope. Take the Third Base Luncheonette, which has been in the Maddon family since 1949 and still looks pretty much the way it did then — the same counter, the same big- buttoned "ka-ching" cash register and the same pink walls.

Maddon's cousin Dave Mishinski and wife Tina own and operate the place with Maddon's mother "Beanie" (Albina) working four days a week slicing tomatoes in the back.

After school, kids start coming in waves — two here, four there, then seven, all crowding into the little diner to buy some candy, a soda or a bag of chips after school. If one was short on the necessary cash, Dave would give him a break.

The kids are of all races — white, Hispanic and black. A mixed group of girls talk with Tina as if she was their second mother.

"The kids have to learn how to not like somebody else," Maddon said. "They normally have to be taught by their parents. All the grown-ups, any of this prejudice, any of this crap going on is learned behavior."

You can see a similar scene a few blocks away at the community center. On the Sunday before Christmas, Maddon and HIP hosted their annual "Thanksmas" lunch attended by hundreds of people throughout the day. Still hampered by a cold, Maddon nonetheless buzzed around the basement of Most Precious Blood with a Cubs T-shirt and his trademark black-rimmed glasses trying to make sure everyone felt welcome.

Reaching out and getting to know your neighbor — it's the new Hazleton way.

"If we did not try to change momentum and push back, nobody would ever want to live here," Maddon said. "The sidewalks would've curled up and gone away."

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Chicago Tribune Cubs invite 19 non-roster players to spring training By Colleen Kane

The announced Friday that they have invited 19 non-roster players to spring training, which begins when pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 19.

Nine pitchers were on the list: right-handers Daniel Bard, Corey Black, Anthony Carter, Jorge De Leon, Pierce Johnson, Armando Rivero and Donn Roach and left-handers Francisley Bueno and Hunter Cervenka.

Infielders Kris Bryant, Jonathan Herrera, Addison Russell, Chris Valaika and Logan Watkins, outfielders Albert Almora, Mike Baxter and Adron Chambers and catchers Kyle Schwarber and Taylor Teagarden have also been invited.

Watkins, however, will not be working out as he announced on Twitter that he tore his Achilles’ tendon during a pre-spring training workout in Arizona.

Pitchers and catchers will have their first workout on Feb. 20. Position players report Feb. 24, with the first full- squad workout the following day.

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Chicago Tribune Mark Grote lands Cubs radio job By Ed Sherman

Mark Grote has landed the job to be handle the pre and postgame duties for the Cubs radio broadcasts on WBBM- AM 780, sources have confirmed. Grote also will provide scoring updates during games and will make regular appearances on WSCR-AM 670 reporting on the Cubs.

Grote, who grew up in Itasca, joined WBBM as a sports reporter in 2002. Since 2010, he has been the scoreboard anchor for the "Mully & Hanley Show" on WSCR. He also co-hosts a Saturday morning show on the station with the Tribune's Steve Rosenbloom.

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Chicago Tribune Ex-Dodger Ted Lilly avoids jail in fraud case with plea agreement By Steve Dilbeck

Don’t try to figure it. Some things are just beyond us. Like F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, the rich are different from you and me. Maybe rich athletes from modest backgrounds even more so.

Regardless, the curious case of ex-Dodger Ted Lilly and the alleged false claim on his $210,000 recreational vehicle has come to a close without the left-hander ending up a felon.

Lilly avoided three felony counts of insurance fraud with a plea deal Thursday that will allow him to avoid jail time.

There was a punishment, however. Lilly will pay a $2,500 fine, serve two years of informal probation and perform 250 hours of local community service.

Lilly did not appear in the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, but his attorney entered a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor count of insurance fraud. The other two charges were dropped in the plea agreement.

Said Lilly through a statement his attorney read: “I would like to apologize for the terrible error in judgment which has led to the present situation. My actions do not reflect the way I choose to live. I am very much determined to earn back a reputation of trust and transparency.”

All this for a $4,600 claim for damage to his RV. The California Department of Insurance said Lilly received the estimate last March 19, then bought insurance five days later before making the claim.

Lilly made more than $80 million during his 15-year career, the last four of which were spent with the Dodgers.

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Daily Herald Strop, Cubs agree to one-year deal By Bruce Miles

All are in the fold.

The Cubs and their last remaining arbitration-eligible player, reliever , have agreed to terms. Strop and the Cubs agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.525 million.

The 29-year-old right-hander had been seeking $3 million while the Cubs were offering $2 million.

Last season, Strop worked mostly as a setup man, going 2-4 with a 2.21 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07. He also had 2 saves.

In 65 games, Strop struck out 71 in 61 .

They're invited:

The Cubs have invited 19 players to spring training as nonroster players. Included are prospects Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, Addison Russell, C.J. Edwards and Pierce Johnson.

Cubs pitchers and catchers report for spring training Feb. 19 in Mesa, Ariz., with position players reporting Feb. 24. Many position players likely will be in camp early.

All eyes will be on third baseman Bryant, the Cubs' top prospect and the consensus minor-league player of the year for last season. It's unlikely Bryant will make the opening-day roster, but with a good spring and a solid start at Class AAA Iowa, he could be up before May.

Schwarber, the Cubs' top pick last June, will go to camp as a nonroster catcher as will veteran Taylor Teagarden, who has 172 games of big-league experience with the Rangers, Orioles and Mets.

Infielder Chris Valaika, who saw action in 44 games with the Cubs last season, is back as a nonroster man. Other notable veterans include pitcher Daniel Bard and outfielders Mike Baxter and Adron Chambers.

Among those seeing action for the Cubs last year after going to spring training as nonroster men were John Baker, , , Ryan Kalish, Brian Schlitter, Tsoyoshi Wada and prospect Javier Baez.

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Cubs.com Young talent headed to Cubs' big league camp By Cash Kruth

CHICAGO -- The Cubs have invited 19 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training, highlighted by several top prospects including third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell.

Bryant and Russell are the game's Nos. 2 and 5 prospects, respectively, according to MLB.com.

Catcher Kyle Schwarber (No. 49) and outfielder Albert Almora (No. 57), as well as right-hander Pierce Johnson -- who was among MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects heading into last season -- also are participating in big league camp. Bryant a Minor League-leading 43 home runs at Double-A and Triple-A last season, while Russell hit .294/.332/.536 for Double-A Tennessee after being acquired from Oakland in the trade.

Schwarber advanced to High A after being selected No. 4 overall in the 2014 Draft and hit a combined .344/.428/.634 with 18 homers in 72 games, while Almora slashed .270/.291/.392 at High A and Double-A in 2014. Almora (2012), Bryant (2013) and Schwarber (2014) are the Cubs' last three first-round Draft picks.

Right-hander Daniel Bard, who posted a 1.93 ERA in 2010 with the Red Sox and was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in 2013 before joining the Rangers organization, also will be in Mesa, Ariz., with the club.

The full list includes:

Right-handers Corey Black, Anthony Carter, Jorge De Leon, Armando Rivero, Donn Roach, Bard and Johnson, and left-handers Francisley Bueno and Hunter Cervenka.

Infielders Jonathan Herrera, Chris Valaika, Logan Watkins (injured), Bryant and Russell.

Outfielders Mike Baxter, Adron Chambers and Almora.

Catchers Taylor Teagarden and Schwarber.

Pitchers and catchers officially report to Spring Training on Feb. 20, while the first full-squad workout is Feb. 25.

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Cubs.com Rizzo makes donation to cancer center By Carrie Muskat

Cubs first baseman , a seven-year cancer survivor, recently made a gift of $250,000 to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

He raised the money through fundraisers coordinated by the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. The hospital said the money will be used to support the research of Dr. Izidore Lossos, director of the lymphoma program. The hospital announced the waiting room on the second floor of a clinic at Sylvester will be named the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation Hematology Oncology Waiting Room.

"Coming here for the past seven years, we have grown an appreciation for what the staff, the nurses, and the doctors do along the way that help make it the best possible experience," Rizzo said in a release posted on the hospital website. "The relationships we've made here, with Dr. Lossos and all of the nurses, have been really great."

Lossos said the donation was much appreciated but said it was more important to see Rizzo go from a teenager with cancer to playing baseball again.

Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at 18 while a Minor Leaguer in the Red Sox system. He returned to Florida and received treatment at Sylvester. After six months of chemotherapy, he was in remission. Last season, Rizzo, 25, was elected to his first All-Star team and finished with a .286 average, 32 home runs and 78 RBIs. Rizzo's foundation has hosted three "Walk-Offs for Cancer" in his hometown of Parkland, Fla., as well as fundraisers in Chicago. In January, the foundation held its first "Laugh-Off for Cancer" comedy event and raised more than $100,000.

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Cubs.com Cubs, Strop avoid arbitration with 1-year deal By Andrew Simon

The Cubs avoided arbitration with their final eligible player on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $2.525 million deal with reliever Pedro Strop.

The right-hander will get a raise from $1.325 million after putting together a strong season in the Chicago bullpen. Strop appeared in 65 games, posting a 2.21 ERA over 61 innings, with 25 walks and 71 . He picked up two saves and held batters to a .187 average, including .169 against righties.

The 29-year-old owns a 3.41 ERA in 246 career games for the Rangers, Orioles and Cubs since debuting in 2009. Chicago acquired him, along with starter , in the deal that sent Scott Feldman to Baltimore in July '13. With the Cubs, Strop has produced a 2.44 ERA and 113 strikeouts over 96 innings.

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Cubs.com Dernier's favorite players: Shark, Barney and Fuld By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Bobby Dernier was a Cubs coach from 2010-11, and when he was asked to pick his favorite player now, he selected three who were under his watch at that time.

"It's a long list, but if under pressure, I'd start on the mound with Jeff Samardzija," Dernier said of the right-hander, who came up through the Cubs system until he was dealt last July to the Athletics. "I'd have Darwin Barney to cover the infield, and let's throw Sam Fuld in the outfield."

Barney won a National League with the Cubs in 2012, and he's now on the Dodgers' roster. Dernier, 58, has a soft spot for Fuld.

"He does the little things extra both on and off [the field]," Dernier said. "For all around, Sam Fuld is just one of those guys you can count on as a teammate, as a coach. Mentoring him, he was more mentoring me. He's just a quality person."

A baserunning and outfield coach with the Cubs, a team he played for from 1984-87, Dernier was told that he didn't have to pick a Cubs player. He said he was biased.

"If you had something to do with them, they become favorite players," Dernier said. "Those are the guys I pull for."

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ESPNChicago.com How would Shields fit with Cubs? By Jesse Rogers

BRISTOL, Conn. -- One of the topics up for discussion among reporters at ESPN’s annual baseball summit this week was the status of free-agent pitcher James Shields.

Shields has defied offseason predictions by remaining on the open market even though spring training is around the corner. Most in the game thought the third best free-agent pitcher would have signed well before camps opened.

It’s led many to believe Shields’ representatives have made a mistake and that he’ll sign for less than he originally could have after going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA last season, helping the to the World Series. Or, maybe there’s some other nefarious reason he doesn’t have a team yet. Either way, it’s left people wondering where and for how much he’ll ink a deal this late in the winter.

Then came the report from CSN Chicago that the Cubs are “kicking the tires” on Shields after months of intimating they weren’t interested in another big money pitcher after signing Jon Lester to a $155 million deal. Of course, if the market has come down for Shields, then maybe the Cubs won’t have to spend big money.

“Kicking the tires” is pretty ambiguous and neither the Cubs nor Shields’ agent are saying anything publicly. All indications are that Shields is circling back to anyone and everyone who was interested in him, so it could mean the Cubs took one phone call regarding Shields or are in deep negotiations. No one knows if either is true.

There are two scenarios that make sense for the Cubs to grab Shields:

One-year deal: If the Cubs want to bolster their chances at the playoffs for 2015, then why not offer Shields one year? As long as they can afford it, it wouldn’t hurt their long-term plans since they could let him walk next winter in favor of some younger, more accomplished pitchers that should be available. It’s very unlikely Shields would take this offer, of course. He’s a free agent coming off a very good year. He’ll be a year older next offseason and be among a much deeper group of free-agent hurlers. He was third best behind Lester and Scherzer this winter, whereas he might be the sixth or seventh best pitcher on the market a year from now. It would make no sense, unless he really wants to be a Cub for some reason.

Multi-year deal: If the market has come down below Shields’ actual value, then the Cubs might simply believe it’s too good a bargain to pass up. Having said that, if they get him for 3-4 years at a reduced price, it can’t preclude them from getting one of the top guys next winter. That would be a mistake. No matter what kind of a discount they might get on Shields and no matter what he contributes to 2015, he isn’t a better pitcher than Jordan Zimmerman, , or even Jeff Samardzija. Not at 34 years old. The only way the Cubs sign Shields for multiple years is if they can still afford a pitcher next offseason. It means $155 million for Lester, at least $50-60 million (remember, we’re assuming a huge bargain) for Shields, then another $100 million-plus for a new acquisition.

The bottom line is that the Cubs have stated over and over that they aren’t “all-in” for 2015. If signing Shields prevents them from signing one of the top pitchers available next winter, then they would be going back on their word. They won’t. So he only fits if he doesn’t affect any of their plans after 2015.

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ESPNChicago.com Manfred talks Maddon tampering, Wrigley Field By Jesse Rogers

BRISTOL, Conn. -- New commissioner Rob Manfred says the investigation into the hiring of Cubs manager Joe Maddon is still “ongoing” while a source also indicates it should be completed before the start of the 2015 season.

Speaking at ESPN headquarters Thursday, Manfred was asked if the Tampa Bay Rays' accusation of tampering in respect to Maddon leaving them for the Cubs was over.

“Over would not be the appropriate word to describe,” Manfred responded. “There is an ongoing investigation. To the extent it’s concluded, one way or another, we’ll be transparent about that. We’ll let you know.”

Maddon was hired by the Cubs in early November after opting out of his contract with Tampa Bay the previous week. After general manager Andrew Friedman left the Rays for the , a clause kicked in on Maddon’s contract stating he could opt out of his deal which was set to run through the 2015 season. The Rays and Maddon had been talking about a contract extension when he bolted for Chicago. Tampa Bay claimed there was tampering. The Cubs denied the charge.

“It’s just wholly inaccurate,” Cubs president Theo Epstein said at the time. “There’s nothing to it.”

Maddon’s agent, Alan Nero, said the accusation was “embarrassing” for the Rays.

One rival executive says nothing will come of the charges but Manfred warned not to jump to conclusions until the investigation is complete.

Wrigley Field: Manfred isn’t concerned with the optics of Wrigley Field’s empty bleachers during a national telecast opening night or throughout the month of April. Construction is preventing fans from sitting in the bleachers during the first month of the season.

“Wrigley renovation, you need to think long term,” Manfred said. “It’s a huge positive for baseball to have that facility preserved and renovated and better serve the fans of the Cubs. Any construction project, there’s some uncertainty with the issue of timing. You really need to keep your eye on the long-term ball. I suspect I’ll be there opening night.”

Manfred wouldn’t commit to Wrigley Field hosting an All-Star Game once renovations are complete.

“One of the things I’m going to do with All-Star Games, I am looking to be more in a competitive, bidding, Super Bowl-awarding type mode. As opposed to (just saying) ‘Chicago is a good idea.’”

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CSNChicago.com Bryant, Russell headline Cubs' list of non-roster invitees By Tony Andracki

Kris Bryant and Addison Russell will be in spring camp with the Cubs.

The organization's top two prospects highlight the list of non-roster players invited to the Under Armour Performance Center in Mesa, Ariz. (Non-roster invitees are players not on the current 40-man roster.)

Fellow top prospects Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber and Pierce Johnson will also be in camp. C.J. Edwards is already on the team's 40-man roster.

Here's the rest of the group:

Pitchers —Daniel Bard —Corey Black —Anthony Carter —Jorge De Leon —Johnson —Armando Rivero —Donn Roach —Francisley Bueno —Hunter Cervenka

Catchers —Schwarber —Taylor Teagarden

Infielders —Bryant —Jonathan Herrera —Russell —Chris Valaika —Logan Watkins (injured and could miss 2015)

Outfielders —Almora —Mike Baxter —Adron Chambers

Cubs pitchers and catchers report Feb. 19 and position players will show up Feb. 24 with the first full-squad workout Feb. 25.

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