February 27, 2017 Chicago Tribune, Cubs manager Joe Maddon careful not to get in his coaches' way http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-joe-maddon-leaves-coaches-alone-spt-0227- 20170226-story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp3 Chicago Tribune, Bloop hits satisfy Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo nearly as much as homers http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-anthony-rizzo-bloops-work-cubs-spt-0227- 20170226-story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs fans stick by Joe Maddon, even if his World Series moves upset them http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-joe-maddon-world-series-sullivan-spt-0227-20170226- column.html Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon impressed with Jason Heyward's modified swing http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-jason-heyward-swing-20170226- story.html Chicago Tribune, Sunday's recap: Cubs 1, Indians 1 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-indians-20170226-story.html Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon's TV appearance curbed by scheduling conflict http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-tv-20170226-story.html Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon develops friendship with Arizona Cardinals coaches http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-football-20170226-story.html Chicago Sun-Times, Maddon predicts ‘pretty good year’ for Heyward after early look http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/maddon-predicts-pretty-good-year-for-heyward-after-early-look/ Chicago Sun-Times, In era of great young shortstops, do Cubs have 2 of game’s best? http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/in-era-of-great-young-shortstops-do-cubs-have-2-of-games-best/ Chicago Sun-Times, The Cubs, The Plan, the World Series and …. the 76ers? Yes. http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/the-cubs-the-plan-the-world-series-and-the-76ers-yes/ Chicago Sun-Times , Game 8: No rain, no 10th inning as Cubs, Indians tie 1-1 http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/game-8-no-rain-no-10th-inning-as-cubs-indians-tie-1-1/ Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs to ease veteran relievers into game action this spring http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-to-ease-veteran-relievers-into-game-action-this-spring/ Daily Herald, Cubs could get used to sellout crowds http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170226/sports/170229097/ Daily Herald, Cubs, Indians meet for Game 8 http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170226/sports/170229104/ Daily Herald, Imrem: Could Ricketts build a Cubs hall of fame without Sosa? http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170226/sports/170229100/ Cubs.com, Maddon likes Heyward's tweaked approach http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/217139584/joe-maddon-likes-jason-heywards-early-results/ Cubs.com, Maddon plans to limit starters' workloads http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/217195884/joe-maddon-to-spread-workload-for-starters/ Cubs.com, Defense shines in Series rematch http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/217139582/cubs-indians-tie-in-world-series-rematch/ Cubs.com, Young looks to follow up strong DWL showing http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/217139586/chesny-young-in-cubs-camp-after-dominican-ball/ CSNChicago.com, What If… Cubs Gm Jed Hoyer’s Takeaways From Epic World Series Game 7 http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/what-if-cubs-gm-jed-hoyers-takeaways-epic-world-series-game-7 CSNChicago.com, How Indians Regrouped And Reloaded After Losing Unforgettable Game 7 To Cubs http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/how-indians-regrouped-and-reloaded-after-losing-unforgettable- game-7-cubs CSNChicago.com, Cubs Manager Joe Maddon Misses His Chance To Guest-Star In ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-manager-joe-maddon-misses-his-chance-guest-star-curb- your-enthusiasm -- Chicago Tribune Cubs manager Joe Maddon careful not to get in his coaches' way By Mark Gonzales Because of his time as a minor-league hitting instructor in the Angels organization, Cubs manager Joe Maddon thinks twice before giving Jason Heyward any tips directly. "I attempt to not muddy the waters," said Maddon, who prefers to convey his messages through hitting coach John Mallee and assistant Eric Hinske. Maddon's main concern is consistency of message to Heyward, whose attempt to change his swing has prompted an avalanche of attention and advice. "I've been around situations where too many guys want to be involved in this solution," Maddon said. "And they want to have the player eventually say, 'Well, so-and-so, this guy helped me and I became good again.' That is such a bad mindset to coach from. "So it's important to have department heads do their job." Safe in Arizona: The Cubs must keep left-hander Caleb Smith on the major-league roster for the entire season (and on the 25-man roster for at least 90 days) or offer him back to the Yankees for half of the $50,000 Rule 5 draft price. "I feel like I'm a way better situation than I was before," said Smith, who has a 3.40 ERA in four minor-league seasons. "Being looked at to be on a big-league roster is good." Smith, 25, credits a switch from starter to reliever for an increase in his velocity to 95 mph. He maintained that velocity when he returned to Double-A Trenton at the end of 2016. Smith also displayed a sharp slider that could prove effective against left-handers. With the Yankees, Smith appreciated the chance to meet organizational legends such as Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter and absorbed the wisdom they shared. But Smith has gained a quick liking to his first spring training in Arizona. "It doesn't rain as much as in Florida," Smith said. Extra innings: The Cubs' four returning starting pitchers — Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey — will make their spring debuts starting next weekend, Maddon said. The exact dates and order hasn't been announced. ... Infielder Javier Baez said he will stay with the Cubs through March 7 before joining his team Puerto Rico teammates in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. -- Chicago Tribune Bloop hits satisfy Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo nearly as much as homers By Mark Gonzales Anthony Rizzo has hit at least 31 home runs in each of his last three seasons, but the Cubs slugger is just about as pleased with soft singles to left field that confound shifting defenses. "I can hit the ball 110 mph off the bat every time and it's right at someone," Rizzo said Sunday. "What's the point, as opposed to hitting it 70 mph and somewhere where they're not standing? I really do believe if you hit the ball consistently, good things will come." Rizzo and manager Joe Maddon believe there is value to exit velocity but also believe more attention should be given to offensive skills that foil a defense. According to MLB's Statcast system, the four hardest hit balls in 2016 (led by a ball hit by Avisail Garcia of the White Sox with an exit velocity of 125.2 mph) resulted in outs. "The first two months of the season was my hardest contact rate I've ever had in my career, and I was hitting (.236) at the end of May," Rizzo said. Maddon said exit velocity can help teams identify talented, hard-luck hitters. He used Logan Forsythe of the Dodgers as an example of a player who had a high exit velocity but hit in tough luck in the minors before breaking through as an established player after he was traded to the Rays. "That's a great acquisition because no one was on him," Maddon said. "All they see is a bad batting average and guys just can't get over the hump. But the undercurrent was good. "Guys like Rizzo or Kris (Bryant) have great exit velocity. But the ability to really utilize the whole field right now, that's what K.B. is working on right now and that's what Rizzo knows. "I know it's a cool term, but to me, it's about acquiring somebody. It doesn't have any application during the season. You know if a good qualified major-league hitter is going south, am I going to be worried about his exit velocity or his mechanics or is he chasing pitches out of the strike zone?" Unlike previous offseasons, Rizzo said he didn't devote his work to one specific area. "I try not to overthink and look into things," Rizzo said. "I pull a lot of scouting reports from (coach) Mike Borzello and assess what happened throughout the year, such as what was good, what was bad, what teams pitch me better than others and why. I don't look too much into it. I'm just aware of it." Rizzo simply hopes to continue hitting better against left-handers (.189 in 2013 to .300 in 2014) and to the opposite field. According to Baseball Information Systems, opponents employed 375 shifts against Rizzo in 2016, with 30 hits lost to the alignments but 18 gained as the result of beating the shifts. "No one is ever content or satisfied," Rizzo said. "I think a lot of guys fall into the trap of trying to work on something and they're so focused on that movement that they forget to just not think. I'm a big believer of not thinking up there." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs fans stick by Joe Maddon, even if his World Series moves upset them By Paul Sullivan As the Cubs and Indians prepared Sunday for what some reporters dubbed "Game 8," Joe Maddon conceded he had not watched any of the replays of the World Series or documentaries on their memorable season.