March 10, 2017

 Chicago Tribune, win means raises for Cubs' , http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-world-series-cubs-joe-maddon-contract-20170309- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs Brett Anderson lets his personality come out on Twitter http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-brett-anderson-funny-twitter-spt-0310-20170309- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Ex-Cub , 20-game winner in 1969, dies at 76 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-bill-hands-cubs-obit-spt-0310-20170309-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Thursday's recap: Mariners 8, Cubs 6 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spring-recap-spt-0310-20170309-story.html

 Chicago Sun-Times, homers, Brian Duensing (back) exits, Cubs lose 8-6 http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/anthony-rizzo-homers-brian-duensing-back-exits-cubs-lose-8-6/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Whether criticism ever fades, Joe Maddon ‘absolute right person’ http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/whether-criticism-ever-fades-joe-maddon-absolute-right-person/

 Chicago Sun-Times, MVP Kris Bryant, Cubs agree on pre-arbitration record salary http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/mvp-kris-bryant-cubs-agree-on-pre-arbitration-record-salary/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Best-paid in the game? Who knew? Not Joe Maddon http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/best-paid-manager-in-the-game-who-knew-not-joe-maddon/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs reliever Rondon makes decision, says he’s ‘ready’ for WBC http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-reliever-rondon-makes-decision-says-hes-ready-for-wbc/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Maddon laughs off Cards manager’s shot at Cubs and their T-shirts http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/maddon-laughs-off-cards-managers-shot-at-cubs-t-shirt-culture/

 Daily Herald, With Kris Bryant, Cubs' Maddon puts his worries to rest http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170309/sports/170308779/

 Cubs.com, Bryant agrees to record deal for 2017 season http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218678520/kris-bryant-signs-record-deal-for-105m/

 Cubs.com, Montgomery in race for Cubs' fifth starter job http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218619494/cubs-mike-montgomery-eyeing-rotation-spot/

 Cubs.com, Rizzo launches 1st spring homer against M's http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218609900/mike-zunino-hits-third-homer-in-win-over-cubs/

 Cubs.com, Maddon reportedly to receive salary bump http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218610022/joe-maddon-will-receive-salary-increase/

 CSNChicago.com, War Of Attrition: Cubs Feel At Ease With Starting Pitching Depth http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/war-attrition-cubs-feel-ease-starting-pitching-depth-eddie-butler- alec-mills-joe-maddon-mike-montgomery-brett-anderson

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Chicago Tribune World Series win means raises for Cubs' Kris Bryant, Joe Maddon By Paul Skrbina

The "W" flag was last raised at Wrigley Field on the night of Nov. 2 after the Cubs won in Cleveland for their first World Series title since 1908.

A little more than four months later, a few notable Cubs received raises as a result.

Third baseman Kris Bryant was one of 25 players to agree to terms Thursday on a 2017 contract, and the MVP's deal reportedly is worth $1.05 million, breaking by $50,000 the record for a pre-arbitration-eligible player that Mike Trout set before the 2014 season.

Bryant was paid $652,000 last season, when he batted .292 with 39 home runs, 102 RBIs and a .939 OPS in 155 regular-season games.

Bryant's boss, manager Joe Maddon, also will receive a bump in pay by $1 million per year for the final three years of his five-year deal, thanks to an incentive clause tied to the Cubs winning the World Series.

The raise pushes Maddon's salary to an average of $6 million, matching the Angels' Mike Scioscia and the Giants' Bruce Bochy for tops among managers.

"I didn't know that," Maddon said. "It's very nice. But I've never even seen one of my paychecks. When this all came about, my first thought was, 'The more you can make, the more you can give back.'"

Maddon said he was unaware of the escalator clause in the five-year, $25 million contract he signed before the 2015 season — much like he said he was unaware of the opt-out clause he had with the Rays that allowed him to come to the Cubs.

"Everybody sees it now, but it takes at least 30, 40 years to be an overnight success," said Maddon, who began his coaching career in 1981 making, he said, $12,000 per year.

Bryant, the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year, comes at a bargain price for the Cubs, who could have paid him whatever they wished in 2017, as long it was over the major-league minimum of $535,000. He will be eligible for arbitration beginning next season and is signed through 2021.

Kyle Schwarber, , , Javier Baez, , Jr., Carl Edwards Jr., Tommy La Stella, Matt Szczur and Rob Zastryzny also were among the 25 players with zero to three years of major- league service time who agreed to terms.

The Cubs did not disclose terms of the deals.

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Chicago Tribune Cubs pitcher Brett Anderson lets his personality come out on Twitter By Paul Skrbina

Jim Thome had zero hits in six career at-bats against Brett Anderson, striking out twice against the new Cubs left- hander.

Not allowing one of the retired slugger's 612 career home runs stands atop the list of regrets in Anderson's baseball career.

"He's the only guy I've faced who I wouldn't mind giving up a to," Anderson said Thursday before allowing two runs and five hits in two of an 8-6 loss to the Mariners at Sloan Park.

Anderson, who is competing with Mike Montgomery for the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation, wasn't joking. The self- described "introvert" prefers to let his fingers do the talking to show his sense of humor, mostly on Twitter, where he is known to be self-deprecating and pre-emptively describes his grammar as terrible.

A recent Sports Illustrated story in which Tim Tebow said he wanted to adopt a child from every continent brought this response from Anderson: "What's harder ... hitting a baseball or finding an orphan in Antarctica?"

He sarcastically tweeted in February that he lasted longer into this year by getting through a live batting practice.

"I'm not the most outspoken person," Anderson said. "So whatever I think in my head, whatever funny, sarcastic candor, I try to do it through social media. That's one way to let some of my personality out there — making fun of things, making fun of myself."

Anderson, 29, considers ERA part of his DNA. He often tagged along to practices and games with his father, Frank, while he was head at Oklahoma State.

But he didn't play much last season thanks to back surgery that sidelined him for more than five months with the Dodgers. He pitched 11 1/3 innings in four appearances, the longest of which lasted five innings, before the Cubs took a one-year, $3.5 million chance on him.

Anderson's biggest goal, next to a World Series title, is staying off the disabled list so he can try to add to career numbers that include a 3.86 ERA in 685 2/3 innings.

He described himself to the Los Angeles Times before the 2015 season as "like a stunt ."

He has had Tommy John elbow surgery, multiple back surgeries and has spent more time on the DL the last six years than off it with hand, finger and foot problems.

"I'm a good pitcher when I'm healthy," Anderson said. "If I can be out on the field, everything else will take care of itself. If I can do my part and give us a chance, whether it be in the bullpen or every five days as a starter."

Manager Joe Maddon said "we'll see how it plays out" between Anderson and Montgomery and said having to choose between them "is a nice problem to have.

"When you look at the names — (Jon) Lester, (John) Lackey, (Jake) Arrieta, (Kyle) Hendricks — and you go, 'Oh, Anderson and Montgomery,' that's pretty special," Maddon said.

Maddon hinted that Anderson, assuming he stays intact, might have the upper hand to be a starter to begin the season because of his eight years of experience and Montgomery's value as a lefty out of the bullpen.

Anderson counts facing Ken Griffey Jr. as one of his coolest big-league moments; Griffey was 0-for-3 with three walks against him. Now he's hoping his body allows him a few more cool moments this season.

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Chicago Tribune Ex-Cub Bill Hands, 20-game winner in 1969, dies at 76 By Paul Sullivan

Former pitcher Bill Hands, a 20-game winner for the 1969 Cubs, died Thursday in an Orlando, Fla., hospital after a brief illness. He was 76.

Hands won 111 games over 11 big-league seasons, including a 92-86 record with a 3.18 ERA in seven seasons with the Cubs.

Signed by the Giants as an amateur free agent in 1959, Hands, whose nickname was "Froggy," was part of the one of the best trades in Cubs history, coming over after the 1965 season with for and reliever Lindy McDaniel.

It was the Cubs' first trade after bringing in to manage the perennial losers.

"We're looking to rebuild," Durocher said at the time. "And the only way to do that is with the young. Hundley is only 23 and Hands 25."

Hands and Hundley became part of a core of young Cubs who turned the franchise from a laughingstock into a contender in only a few seasons. They broke a million hearts in '69 but remain one of the most beloved teams in franchise history.

"At the end of the '66 season, when we'd just lost 103 ballgames, Leo took Bill Hands, Joe Niekro, Rich Nye, Kenny Holtzman and myself, and he told us, 'You five young guys will battle for four spots in the rotation starting in '67,'" Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins recalled Thursday.

Hands started and relieved in '67, when the Cubs won 87 games and started to turn things around. He went 16-10 in '68, establishing himself and setting the stage for '69.

"He was the third pitcher," Jenkins said. "I opened, Kenny was second and he was third. He was a hell of a pitcher. ... Froggy was a good teammate."

Jenkins said Hands was an "even-tempered guy" with a good sinking and sharp who did his job and never complained about being underappreciated on a team full of stars. Unlike Jenkins, Hands wasn't much of a hitter — he struck out 14 times in a row from June 1 to July 11, 1968.

The next year he was part of one of the best rotations in baseball with Jenkins (21-15, 3.21 ERA) and the left- handed Holtzman (17-13, 3.59). The Cubs were in first place in mid-August before blowing a 91/2-game lead to the eventual champion Mets.

Hands won 18 games in 1970, but the Cubs couldn't win the division and eventually began to back up the truck. They dealt Hands to the Twins after the '72 season for Dave LaRoche, and a minor-leaguer, and when Twins owner cut his pay by $4,500, Hands asked for a trade in spring training of '73.

"You know I'm not a rebel," he said. "Never have been. But I'm not happy pitching for this club."

Hands retired in '75 and lived in Orient, N.Y., where he owned a gas station where locals congregated.

"The gas station was like the barber shop in 'Andy Griffith,'" Orient resident Carol Gillooly told the Suffolk Times. "Everybody would be trying to solve the problems of the world and talking about baseball."

Hands was modest about his major-league career and remained a Cubs fan, often wearing a Cubs cap at work. When he attended a Cubs game at Shea Stadium in 1985, equipment man Yosh Kawano wanted to bring Hands into the clubhouse to meet the players.

"No, don't do that," Hands replied. "These guys don't want to meet a ghost from the past."

Reminders of the ghosts of '69 haunted the Cubs for decades, but they finally won it all last year, ending a 107-year drought. Hands was ecstatic, his friend Bill Fish told the Suffolk Times.

"He stuck around long enough to see it," Fish said. "We were all happy about that."

That '69 team has lost Ernie Banks, and Jim Hickman in recent years. Jenkins said Hands will also be missed, though he was glad "Froggy" saw those ghosts of '69 finally put to rest.

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Chicago Tribune Thursday's recap: Mariners 8, Cubs 6 By Paul Skrbina

Anthony Rizzo had two hits, including his first home run of the spring in the first , but the Cubs fell to the Mariners 8-6 on Thursday at Sloan Park. With the help of three stolen bases, an and a balk that allowed a run to score, the Mariners pushed four across in the ninth after the Cubs had taken a 5-4 lead in the eighth.

At the plate: Catcher Taylor Davis had two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, while five Mariners had two hits apiece. Mike Zunino's solo home run was one of 17 Mariners hits.

On the mound: Mike Montgomery allowed three hits and a run and struck out one in a two-inning start. Brett Anderson yielded five hits and two runs in two innings, and Brian Duensing, who took the loss, allowed five hits, four runs and a walk in one-third of an inning.

The quote: "The pollen count is extremely high, so I had to deal with that. The two worst places in the country this time of year — the Tampa area and here. We have to move spring training to ... I don't know." — Cubs manager Joe Maddon on his allergies.

Up next: at Mariners, 2:10 p.m. Friday in Peoria, Ariz. RH Kyle Hendricks vs. RH Chris Heston.

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Chicago Sun-Times Anthony Rizzo homers, Brian Duensing (back) exits, Cubs lose 8-6 By Gordon Wittenmyer

This one hurt

The Mariners peppered left-hander Brian Duensing for five hits and four runs (with an error along the way) in the ninth inning at Sloan Park.

Duensing, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal over the winter, left the mound with one out and the bases loaded because of tightness in his lower back. He will be re-evaluated Friday morning.

Taking the fifth

“Hybrid” fifth-starter tandem Mike Montgomery and Brett Anderson each worked two innings to open the game, each allowing one run — Montgomery on a homer in the third, Anderson on a two-out double followed by a run- scoring single in the third.

“The command wasn’t the best, but I felt good,” Montgomery said. “Just building arm strength. It was definitely a step in the right direction again.”

Schwarber brings glove

Slugging leadoff man Kyle Schwarber, considered the weak link in the Cubs’ projected starting defense, made a leaping catch at the wall in left to rob Tyler Smith of extra bases leading off the sixth.

Rizzo brings bat

All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a long home run past right field in the first inning — his first homer in spring training — then added a double to right in the sixth.

‘B’ roll

Prospects Victor Caratini and Bijan Rademacher each two-run homers, and starter Casey Kelly gave up one run (on a homer) in two innings in the Cubs’ 8-5 loss to the Angels in a “B” game played on the Cubs’ main practice field. Infielder Tommy La Stella went 1-for-4 with a single in that game.

On deck

Cubs at Mariners, Peoria, 2:10 p.m., cubs.com audio, Kyle Hendricks vs. Chris Heston.

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Chicago Sun-Times Whether criticism ever fades, Joe Maddon ‘absolute right person’ By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — The record-setting parade had been over for months and team president Theo Epstein’s record bender at least for weeks, and the Cubs’ championship trophy already had traveled enough miles on its victory tour to circle the globe.

But as right-hander Kyle Hendricks warmed up for a spring-training start just a few days ago, it was clear the fans weren’t ready to let it go.

‘‘Why’d they take you out?’’ they yelled at Hendricks, echoing a refrain he said he has heard every time somebody new has seen him since he was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, which the Cubs led 5-1 before having to sweat out extra innings in Cleveland.

‘‘It shouldn’t be ‘they’; it should be, ‘Why did ‘he’ take you out?’ ’’ said manager Joe Maddon, who isn’t sure the questions about and criticisms of his pitching moves in the final two games of the World Series (both victories) ever will go away completely.

‘‘It’s all good,’’ he said. ‘‘Ten years from now, 20, when that documentary is put together or that film, how fabulous will that be? I’ll be 82 years old, sitting in some futuristic IMAX. That’ll be awesome to see that, me walking out to the mound, played by some younger actor.’’

And they still will be booing, one Cubs beat reporter joked.

‘‘It’s great,’’ Maddon said, chuckling.

It certainly could be worse. If the result had gone the other way after the Indians’ Rajai Davis tied the score with his home run against closer Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning, then Steve Bartman, Leon Durham and the black cat might have had company.

Even as the Cubs were the feel-good story of the winter meetings in December, more than one official from rival teams said they winced for the likable Maddon when they saw his moves backfire.

Soon after, Chapman — who was gassed by Game 7 — criticized Maddon for wearing him out. And it took all of 20 minutes into spring training for Maddon to be asked again about all the heat he was taking for the pitching moves, despite the fact the Cubs won a World Series for the first time in 108 years.

Even Epstein admitted during an HBO ‘‘Real Sports’’ interview that aired two weeks ago that he questioned Maddon’s use of Chapman with a big lead in Game 6 in terms of what it might mean in Game 7.

‘‘In every cell of my body,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘But not every manager’s gonna get everything right. But you better have a reason for it. And Joe always has a good reason for it.’’

Of course, it’s easy to forget the overarching role Maddon played in the championship. It might not have happened at all without him because the Cubs might not have had the opportunity without him.

‘‘I think just the impact he’s had on me and this team, it’s very clear to see he obviously is at the top of his game, the top of his profession as a manager in this game,’’ said Hendricks, who admitted being chapped at the moment he was taken out of that game but came to understand more of the reasoning in the ensuing weeks and months.

‘‘There’s no one that can sit in that dugout and make the decisions in real time like he does. You’re never going to have someone that’s perfect; we all make mistakes. I leave pitches up in the zone, give up home runs. There’s always wiggle room. But for him, night in and night out, with the decisions that he makes, he puts his players in the best position possible to succeed, and that’s all we could ask for.’’

Love his dress-up trips and zoo-animal methods or hate them, Maddon is consistent and genuine. He also is obsessed with winning and is fearless. He installed Javy Baez as the starting second baseman for every postseason game last fall and benched $184 million right fielder for lack of production.

As Epstein told HBO: ‘‘I didn’t agree with everything he did during the World Series, but I agreed with him as being the absolute right person to see us through all these ups and downs and get us to the end. And that’s what he did: He got us to the end.’’

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Chicago Sun-Times MVP Kris Bryant, Cubs agree on pre-arbitration record salary By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — After winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2015 and being named the National League MVP last season, third baseman Kris Bryant received a $1.05 million deal for 2017, a record for a player who has not reached arbitration eligibility.

The Angels’ Mike Trout held the previous record at $1 million in 2014.

Teams have power to dictate salary terms for players who have not reached arbitration, as long as they meet the major-league minimum, which is $535,000 this year.

Bryant, whose big-league debut was delayed in 2015 to preserve an additional year of club control before free agency, hit .292 with 39 home runs and a .939 OPS. He also has an .843 OPS with five homers — and a World Series title — in 26 career postseason games. Bryant’s salary last year was $652,000.

Bryant was one of 25 pre-arbitration-eligible players on the Cubs to receive a new contract.

Other notable deals: Award finalist Kyle Hendricks ($760,500), All-Star shortstop Addison Russell ($644,000), NL Championship Series co-MVP Javy Baez ($609,000) and World Series hero Kyle Schwarber ($565,500).

Teed up

Manager Joe Maddon seemed amused by Cardinals manager Mike Matheny’s shot at the Cubs and their manager- led penchant for slogans and T-shirts.

“I think we have T-shirts somewhere that say something about winning at home,” Matheny said.

When told Thursday about the Matheny salvo, Maddon laughed.

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said Maddon, who was asked about his thoughts if the Cardinals started making T-shirts.

“If it goes to anybody’s foundation, I’ll be happy to purchase some,” said Maddon, who’s “Try Not to Suck” T-shirt line was banned briefly from the Cards’ stadium last year.

Maddon won’t help Matheny with any slogan ideas. Not even the obvious, “Try Not to Suck at Home.”

“No, not at all,” Maddon said. “We’re saturated here with korkedbaseball.com. That’s where you can buy ours. We’ve got some new stuff coming out that I think’s pretty good.”

Rondon ‘ready’

Two spring appearances was all setup man Hector Rondon needed to formally accept Team Venezuela’s invitation to pitch in the World Baseball Classic.

“Now I’m for sure. I feel really good and I’m ready,” Rondon said Thursday.

Rondon, who would join the Venezuelans next week in San Diego assuming they advance from first-round pool play, held off making a decision until he determined how he felt during the first half of camp.

Pitchers are the bigger risk for big-league teams with players in the WBC. Rondon is the only pitcher on the Cubs’ projected opening roster to participate.

After he spent time on the DL last year (triceps), the Cubs had the right to keep him out of the tournament.

“If he pitches the semifinals and finals, he has our blessing,” general manager Jed Hoyer said.

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Chicago Sun-Times Best-paid manager in the game? Who knew? Not Joe Maddon By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — What’s a World Series title worth after waiting 108 years?

If you’re Cubs manager Joe Maddon, it’s $1 million a year added to the final three years of your contract.

Maddon said he didn’t know of the increase until he was told by reporters Thursday. He will get $6 million in each of his next three seasons, matching the Giants’ Bruce Bochy and the Angels’ Mike Scioscia for the highest managerial salaries in baseball.

“I think with an escalator of that type, it’s the kind of escalator you hope you’re paying,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “I’m glad we are.”

It’s hard to dispute the value after 200 regular-season victories and five rounds of playoff wins since Maddon took over a last-place team infused with $155 million pitcher and rookie sensations Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber.

“I guess in some way it’s an honor to be considered in that position,” said Maddon, who signed a five-year, $25 million deal in the fall of 2014. “But also it’s a function of where I work, too [for a big-revenue team].

“Honestly, when this all came about, my first thought was the more you could make, the more you could give back,” added Maddon, who made his managerial debut at 51 with the Rays in 2006. “That’s pretty much the concept I’ve been working from since I’ve been here.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs reliever Rondon makes decision, says he’s ‘ready’ for WBC By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Two spring appearances was all Cubs setup man Hector Rondon needed.

“Now I’m for sure. I feel really good and I’m ready,” said Rondon, who said Thursday he’ll formally accept Team Venezuela’s invitation and pitch in the World Baseball Classic.

Rondon, who would join the Venezuelans next week assuming they advance from first-round pool play this weekend, had held off making a decision until he determined how he felt during the first half of camp.

He said he’ll probably tell the Cubs staff next week.

Pitchers historically have proved the greater risk to big-league teams with players in the WBC, and Rondon is the only pitcher from the Cubs’ projected opening roster to participate.

Because Rondon spent time on the disabled list last year (triceps), the club has right under WBC/MLB rules to keep him out of the tournament. But he and the team agreed before camp opened that he could pitch after the first round.

“If he pitches the semifinals and finals, he has our blessing,” general manager Jed Hoyer said.

The former Cubs closer said he’s excited for his first WBC competition, during a year manager Omar Vizquel’s team has ramped up its roster and intent to win.

“Especially with the kind of players that we have right now,” Rondon said. “They have really good infielders and good hitters, too. Hopefully, they can score a lot of runs. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Venezuela, led by Miguel Cabrera, Felix Hernandex and Carlos Gonzalez, opens the first round Friday against Javy Baez’ Team Puerto Rico in Mexico. Italy and Mexico also are that pool.

The top two advance to the second round in San Diego, where Rondon plans to join them.

“Everybody’s taking it serious [this time],” Rondon said of a Venezuelan team that was bounced in the first round during the last WBC in 2013. “The last two times they went, they were playing around. Now they want to win. It’s going to be special.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Maddon laughs off Cards manager’s shot at Cubs and their T-shirts By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Cubs manager Joe Maddon seemed amused by Cardinals manager Mike Matheny’s perceived shot at the Cubs and their manager-led penchant for slogans and T-shirts.

When the Cardinals improved to 6-0 at home this spring on Wednesday – after a woeful showing at Busch Stadium during last season – Matheny took a shot at the Cubs when asked about the sparkling improvement.

“I think we have T-shirts somewhere that say something about winning at home,” Matheny said.

When St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold asked whether that was a reference to the Cubs, Matheny only smiled.

When told Thursday about the Matheny salvo, Maddon laughed.

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said Maddon, who was then asked his thoughts if the Cardinals started making T-shirts.

“If it goes to anybody’s foundation, I’ll be happy to purchase some,” said Maddon, whose “Try Not to Suck” T-shirt line was banned briefly from the Cards’ stadium last year.

But he’s not going to help Matheny with any Cardinal slogan ideas for the shirts. Not even the obvious, “Try Not to Suck at Home.”

“No, not at all,” he said. “No, no, no. We’re saturated here with korkedbaseball.com. That’s where you can buy ours. We’ve got some new stuff coming out that I think’s pretty good.”

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Daily Herald With Kris Bryant, Cubs' Maddon puts his worries to rest By Bruce Miles

Kris Bryant has had himself quite a past few months.

He survived a slip of the foot on some wet sod to record the assist for the final out of the 2016 World Series, giving the their first title since 1908.

Shortly after that, he received the National League Most Valuable Player Award, followed by a trip to the White House.

And, oh yes, Bryant got married.

What could possibly be next for the 25-year-old third baseman, who added the MVP to his Rookie of the Year Award from 2015?

The stratosphere seems likely, but you'd never know it watching Bryant at Cubs spring-training camp in Mesa, Arizona.

On mornings early in camp, Bryant would walk out to the cages with a bat resting on his shoulder and a smile on his face as he prepared for the day.

His manager doesn't seem worried about how Bryant is handling things.

"He's done pretty good in college," Joe Maddon said. "He's been pretty good in the minor leagues. He's been pretty good as a rookie. He's been pretty good as a second-year guy. He's so grounded, and that's the only thing. You see, with him the method with which he thinks and the support staff that he has, I'm not concerned.

"My biggest concern is always health. A guy like him, you want to keep him mentally and physically well. And if you can do that, there's no reason he can't continue to actually keep getting better.

"So I don't worry about things like that. There are different things you can do health-wise: Give him a break, give him a rest, have him back off. Those are the things I'm really more concerned with. But he's going to be fine. He handles the day well."

Bryant has handled major-league pitching pretty well, too. Last year he put up a batting line of .292/.385/.554 for an OPS of .939 to go along with 39 home runs and 102 RBI. As a rookie in 2015, his line was .275/.369/.488 with 26 homers and 99 RBI.

Perhaps equally impressive, he cut his rate from 30.6 percent in 2015 to 22 percent last year, cutting the raw number of Ks from a league-leading 199 in 2015 to 154 last year.

Asked early in spring about his goals for this year, he said he was aiming for improvement in all categories.

"That's just how I've always been," he said. "I love striving to be the best I can be. There's no sense in not doing that."

A third baseman by trade, Bryant saw action last year at all three outfield positions (60 games in left field) in addition to 9 games at first base and 1 at shortstop. He was asked if he's likely to see more action at third base this season at the expense of other spots.

"I don't care; I don't care at all," he said. "I don't know, but it does kind of seem like I'll be playing more third this year, but to me it's never mattered where I play, I've told you guys day in and day out. I like moving around. It's fun for me. It keeps me fresh. I'm ready for it. I've got all my gloves here."

He also doesn't seem worried about heightened expectations, either for himself or the team.

"Doing what we did last year and winning the whole thing, it just makes us want to go through it all over again," he said. "Playing in a Game 7, that's the most stressful game you can probably play in sports. I think all our nerves heading into this year are pretty calm knowing that we played in one of the most stressful games in the history of the game. I think we'll be fine. But there's definitely no complacency here."

Some Cubs said they haven't watched highlights or the documentary about the 2016 World Series. Not so Bryant.

"I've seen the movie," he said. "I'll be watching that for the rest of my life. It's crazy, some of the work they put together to make these cool movies. Yeah, they really captured just how our season was and how fun it was. We'll be able to draw on those games throughout the whole year when things aren't going too good, which are probably going to happen at some point. Yeah, I've watched a lot of the playoffs.

"It's a good thing. When you're doing a lot of things like I've been doing, it's all good stuff. There's never going to be any complaint out of my mouth from what I've done. I've accomplished a lot so far, and I'm so thankful for it. I'll never complain here."

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Cubs.com Bryant agrees to record deal for 2017 season By Matt Kelly

The Cubs announced on Thursday that they have agreed to contract terms with 25 players on their 40-man roster with between zero and three years of Major League service time, including infielder Kris Bryant, who reportedly signed a $1.05 million contract for 2017, according to FanRag Sports, setting a record deal for a second-year player.

Terms of the contracts were not disclosed by the club.

Among the 25 players are a number who made meaningful contributions to the Cubs' World Series title run in 2016, including pitchers Carl Edwards Jr., Kyle Hendricks, Mike Montgomery and Rob Zastryzny, catcher Willson Contreras, infielders Javier Baez, Bryant, Tommy La Stella and Addison Russell, and Albert Almora Jr., Kyle Schwarber and Matt Szczur.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported on Sunday that Russell will net $644,000 on a one-year deal for 2017 before becoming arbitration-eligible next offseason. Heyman also reported that the '17 salary for Bryant, the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year and '16 NL MVP, could equal or perhaps pass Mike Trout's $1 million salary earned in 2014 -- the highest amount for any pre-arbitration player.

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Cubs.com Montgomery in race for Cubs' fifth starter job By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs left-hander Mike Montgomery logged two innings and gave up one run with a strikeout in Thursday's 8-6 loss to the Mariners, as the competition for the fifth starter spot continues.

"Right now, it's just about health," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before Thursday's Cactus League contest at Sloan Park. "They all look really good, they've all been throwing the ball well."

Montgomery and Brett Anderson are being considered for the fifth spot, although Anderson may need to stay in the rotation because of his back. He missed nearly all of last season following back surgery one year ago in March. Anderson gave up two runs on five hits in two innings of relief after Montgomery exited on Thursday.

"Anderson has been more of a starter, but 'Monty' has been amenable or able to relieve," Maddon said. "We'll see how it plays out. To have those two guys competing for the No. 5 spot is a nice problem to have. Both could be solid -- not No. 5 starters, but way better than that [on another team].

"When you look at those names, and you go [Jon Lester], [John Lackey], [], [Kyle Hendricks] and then go Anderson and Montgomery, that's pretty solid stuff."

Worth noting

• Munenori Kawasaki is popular in the clubhouse. He speaks Spanish with the young Latin players, he always has some odd gadget in his locker, and he's very energetic.

"He's a really good player," Maddon said of the infielder. "He just happens to be very funny, too."

The Cubs are looking at options for the bench, and Kawasaki is a possibility, although he is not on the 40-man roster.

Kawasaki stayed with the Cubs through the playoffs, and Maddon said he was doing tee work before Game 7 of the World Series.

"That's kind of entertaining, also," Maddon said. "He's that guy and fits in well and we all love being around him."

• Casey Kelly gave up a solo home run over two innings in a "B" game for the Cubs against the Angels early Thursday. Victor Caratini hit a two-run homer for the Cubs.

• With retired, who takes over as the leader in the clubhouse? Anthony Rizzo has the longest tenure among Cubs players, but Maddon doesn't want the first baseman to change, saying "just keep being Rizzo, keep growing as a human being and as a baseball player."

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Cubs.com Rizzo launches 1st spring homer against M's By Greg Johns and Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Mike Zunino slugged his third home run of the spring and Boog Powell logged a tying RBI single in a four-run ninth inning that sent the Mariners to an 8-6 win over the Cubs on Thursday at Sloan Park.

Anthony Rizzo launched his first home run of the spring -- a solo shot in the first inning -- and he added a double in the sixth in going 2-for-3 for the Cubs.

Mariners left-hander turned in a sharp three-inning outing as he struck out five with no walks in his first spring start after pitching two innings out of the bullpen in his debut last week.

"They have a really good team over there, a strong lineup, World Series champs," Paxton said. "They bring it. It was good to go out there and face a team that talented and have some success."

Zunino added an RBI double on a ball lost in the sun by left fielder Kyle Schwarber in the fifth. Right fielder went 2-for-4 with a double and third baseman Taylor Motter had two hits and a walk.

Mike Montgomery, competing for the No. 5 spot in the Cubs' rotation, allowed one run on three hits, including Zunino's solo homer to left in the second. Montgomery, acquired from the Mariners last July, had no walks and one strikeout in his third start of the spring.

"My arm feels great," Montgomery said. "I'm just building my strength. It was a step in the right direction." The Cubs scored a pair of runs in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Willson Contreras and Taylor Davis and an RBI single by Jon Jay, and Davis tied it in the seventh with a run-scoring single. Jacob Hannemann then drove in the go-ahead run on a single off of Jean Machi in the eighth.

Up next for Mariners: Watch live on MLB.TV as Chris Heston, a right-hander acquired from the Giants, makes his second start of the spring at 12:10 p.m. PT in Friday's rematch with the Cubs at Peoria Stadium. Veterans Nick Vincent and Marc Rzepczynski and hard-throwing prospects Dan Altavilla and Thyago Vieira are scheduled to pitch in relief.

Up next for Cubs: Watch live or listen for free to an exclusive webcast as Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks makes his second spring start on Friday against the Mariners at 2:10 p.m. CT in Peoria.

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Cubs.com Maddon reportedly to receive salary bump By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Winning the World Series with the Cubs means more than ending the longest championship drought in professional sports. According to a report, Cubs manager Joe Maddon's salary will get a boost each of the last three years of his deal from $5 million to $6 million.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman first reported the salary increase. Maddon told Chicago media on Thursday that he didn't know he had that clause in his contract.

"I guess in some way it's an honor to be considered in that position, but also it's a function of where I work, too," Maddon said.

"Honestly, when this all came about, my first thought was the more you could make, the more you could give back," said Maddon, who is involved in charitable endeavors, including his Respect 90 Foundation.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that it's the kind of bonus they're willing to pay.

"I think with an escalator of that type, it's the kind of escalator you hope you're paying," Hoyer said. "I'm glad we are."

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CSNChicago.com War Of Attrition: Cubs Feel At Ease With Starting Pitching Depth By Tony Andracki

MESA, Ariz. — Opening Day is still more than three weeks off, but the Cubs are already preparing for doomsday scenarios with the pitching staff.

Of course, that's not really a change of pace from years past. The old adage — "you can never have too much pitching" — rings true for just about every organization each season.

Even after winning the World Series last year and tallying 200 victories across the past two regular seasons, the Cubs knew they needed to add pitching depth this winter.

The starting rotation has stayed remarkably healthy the last two years: In 2015, the top four guys all made at least 31 starts while last year, the top five guys accounted for 152 starts in the 162-game regular season.

The Cubs can't count on that kind of durability each season.

Jason Hammel was the only starting pitcher to depart from 2016 while Theo Epstein's front office took low- risk/high-reward gambles on injury-prone Brett Anderson, former top prospect and unproven Alec Mills. Plus there's swingman Mike Montgomery, whom the Cubs acquired from the before last summer's trade deadline. Casey Kelly — a former first-round pick by Epstein's front office in Boston in 2008 — started a "B" game for the Cubs Thursday against the .

Ahead of Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Joe Maddon confirmed he's still looking at Montgomery and Anderson as a hybrid role to fill the fifth starter spot.

The two southpaws pitched the first four innings of the Cubs' 8-6 loss to the Mariners, allowing three runs on eight hits.

The plan is for Butler and Mills — the two guys the Cubs acquired in the weeks before pitchers and reported to Arizona — to head to Triple-A Iowa, where they'll represent insurance options should the big-league rotation get hammered with injuries.

"When you leave camp and you have no starting backup that you dig in Triple-A, that's a bad feeling, man," Maddon said. "So when you can line them up on the tarmac in Triple-A that way, it really makes a huge difference.

"Fortunately, we've been relatively healthy the last couple years and we're looking forward to the same kind of health this year. However, stuff happens. And to have that same kind of quality in the background is comforting because you need that.

"Anytime you can line up 6-7-8, even 9, in Triple-A, that's kinda neat."

Mills - acquired from the in a trade when he was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Hammel — said he wasn't expecting to be traded the week before pitchers and catchers reported.

"The Royals DFA'd me and I got traded within three, four hours. So it was kinda whirlwind," said Mills, who had to switch gears in a hurry and figure out place to live with a new team just a few days before his 2017 season started.

Mills, 25, has a 3.03 career ERA in 94 minor-league games (67 starts), but only 58 innings at the big-league level. He's enjoying camp in the laid back, loose atmosphere the Cubs have built.

He knows it's a longshot for him to break camp with the 25-man roster, but the Cubs told him to be ready for anything and that's what he plans on doing.

Butler, meanwhile, has significantly more experience in the majors, starting 28 games for the Colorado Rockies over the last three seasons and tossing 159.1 innings.

The former Top 25 prospect understands he's in a dogfight for a spot on the big-league roster and isn't willing to resign to a role of Triple-A depth just yet.

However, Butler — who won three straight state championships in high school — is thrilled to get a chance to pitch for a winning club and like any pitcher, is glad his home ballpark resides at sea level instead of Coors Field, a hitter's paradise.

"I'm very happy about the opportunities that I have ahead of me here, working with [Cubs pitching coach Chris] Bosio and winning — coming out here and trying to repeat what happened last year," Butler said. "The start of a dynasty."

Montgomery would prefer to be a starter than in the bullpen — a common sentiment among most pitchers — but a little over a year ago, he thought he may have to go to Japan to continue his playing career.

Now the 27-year-old has a from Game 7 of the World Series on his resume and has a chance to be a big part of the Cubs pitching staff for the next few years.

Thursday, Montgomery faced off against his former team and admitted he had plenty of adrenaline going even though it was only a spring training game.

"It's been a wild ride, but I think it just comes down to me believing in what I do as a pitcher. I always have," Montgomery said. "Knowing that it takes time to develop and to learn how to pitch and learn how to get hitters out with your stuff.

"I feel good with it now. I'm excited moving forward. I know last year at this time, I was in a lot different spot. ... To see where I was last year to now, it's a big jump.

"You always gotta work hard, because you never know what can happen in this game. So just take that mindset and go forward with it."

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