Cubs Daily Clips
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August 10, 2018 • Chicago Tribune, 5 things to watch for in the Cubs-Nationals series http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-nationals-five-things-20180809- story.html • Chicago Tribune, Column: Bryce Harper as a Cub is a $300 million fantasy the team cannot afford http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-bryce-harper-haugh-20180809- story.html • Chicago Tribune, Column: Pedro Strop is flashy, but he has a parental side that his Cubs teammates value http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-pedro-strop-wisdom-20180809- story.html • Chicago Tribune, Cubs TV voice Len Kasper, Twitter and 'the kinds of debates I hate' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-len-kasper-angry-twitter- 20180809-story.html • Chicago Tribune, Column: David Bote's success means the Cubs don't need to rush Kris Bryant back http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-david-bote-sullivan-20180809- story.html • Chicago Tribune, Series preview: Nationals at Cubs http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-nationals-pitching-matchups- 20180809-story.html • Chicago Sun-Times, Why Pedro Strop is more important than ever for Cubs’ bullpen, playoff chances https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/pedro-strop-important-cubs-bullpen-playoffs/ • Chicago Sun-Times, ‘EL MAGO’ and ‘BOAT’ among Cubs’ jersey nicknames for MLB Players’ Weekend https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/mlb-players-weekend-2018-jerseys-hats-nicknames-cubs- white-sox/ • Daily Herald, MVP! MVP! MVP! chants growing louder for Cubs' Baez https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180809/mvp-mvp-mvp-chants-growing-louder-for-cubs- baez • Daily Herald, Scouting report: Nationals at Cubs https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180809/scouting-report-nationals-at-cubs • The Athletic, Dollars and sense: If the Cubs make the postseason, their ticket prices will be … cheaper than in 2017? https://theathletic.com/466771/2018/08/10/dollars-and-sense-if-the-cubs-make-the-postseason- their-ticket-prices-will-be-cheaper-than-in-2017/ • The Athletic, Bryce Harper is coming to Wrigley … but Javier Báez will probably steal the show https://theathletic.com/465777/2018/08/09/bryce-harper-is-coming-to-wrigley-but-javier-baez- will-probably-steal-the-show/ • Cubs.com, Contreras champions importance of hydration https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/willson-contreras-pushes-beat-the-heat-program/c-289659494 • ESPNChicago.com, It's time to talk about Bryce Harper and the Cubs again http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24331867/talk-bryce-harper-cubs-again • NBC Sports Chicago, Speedpass, Yu-san, Hollywood: The Cubs Players' Weekend nicknames are out https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/speedpass-yu-san-hollywood-cubs-players-weekend- nicknames-are-out -- Chicago Tribune 5 things to watch for in the Cubs-Nationals series By Mark Gonzales The Cubs and Nationals play for the first time this season Friday, renewing a series that began to intensify in 2016 when Cubs manager Joe Maddon refused to let Bryce Harper beat him and reached a zenith when Wade Davis struck out Harper to end the 2017 National League Division Series. Here are five things to look for when the teams meet this weekend at Wrigley Field: Bearish on Bryce? Cubs fans weren’t happy with the manner in which Harper “rallied” to beat Kyle Schwarber in last month’s Home Run Derby. Harper looks destined for free agency, but the Cubs have received enough production from their outfield to temper some calls to sign him. After struggling in the first half, the Nationals are pushing hard to earn a wild-card berth, while the Cubs are attempting to at least hold their ground until Kris Bryant returns from the 10-day disabled list. There’s enough on the plates of both teams, so digesting the thought of Harper joining fellow Las Vegas native Bryant in 2019 may be placed on the back burner. Natitude The Nationals remain fixed on overtaking the Cubs after slipping up in the NLDS. “We felt like we were the better team last year, and obviously some crazy things happened,” said reliever Brandon Kintzler, whom the Nationals traded to the Cubs hours before the July 31 deadline. “Weird things happened. We didn’t get two starts from (Max) Scherzer that we normally would have. But I definitely felt like we were going into spring training like we’re on a mission.” Despite the steady flow of young position players reaching the majors, this could be the last hurrah for a nucleus that features potential free agents Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Wieters and, of course, Harper. “They’ll still have a strong group,” Kintzler said. “They’re still pretty good, but there are definitely high expectations at the start.” Kyle’s climb? Kyle Hendricks has gained a semblance of consistency after racking up high pitch counts and high home- run totals in the first half. Hendricks has been accustomed to the big stage, and he outpitched Stephen Strasburg in the first game of the NLDS before getting knocked out in the fifth inning of the fifth and deciding game. The Cubs bullpen is well-rested after Jose Quintana pitched six-plus innings Wednesday followed by Thursday’s day off. But a deep start by Hendricks could alleviate concerns for the rest of the series. Stealing from the master? Nationals manager Dave Martinez used some gimmicks in spring training that were reminiscent of those used by his mentor, Maddon, during their 14 seasons with the Rays and Cubs. Could Martinez steal a few plays from Maddon’s book, such as squeeze plays and four-man outfields, or simply take a peek at Maddon’s signs? “I’ve emptied the playbook,” said Maddon, joking that he has employed various football formations. Maddon doesn’t see the need to pick the brain of Kintzler to obtain some of Martinez’s tendencies, nor has he asked a player for information on his previous team. “I have not done that chair under the light,” Maddon deadpanned. A-Rod vs. Darvish Less than two weeks ago, two security guards were stationed outside the visiting manager’s office at Busch Stadium, where the ESPN crew conducted its traditional pregame meeting with Maddon. That session was conducted about five hours before analyst Alex Rodriguez expressed critical comments about rehabbing Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish. Those comments irked Maddon and caught the attention of Darvish. There’s no telling how this beef will be settled, but here’s a suggestion: Rodriguez, 43, can face Darvish in his next simulated game — which could occur this weekend. And if Rodriguez, a 14-time All-Star, needs any tips, he can walk to the visitor’s clubhouse and find Nationals hitting coach Kevin Long, who supervised two of A-Rod’s three American League MVP seasons with the Yankees. -- Chicago Tribune Column: Bryce Harper as a Cub is a $300 million fantasy the team cannot afford By David Haugh Once upon a time, two Little Leaguers from Las Vegas grew up to be baseball superstars, home-run hitters who shared a hometown and occasionally dropped hints about playing for the same team. The fantasy of Bryce Harper hitting in front of Kris Bryant captures a Cubs fan’s imagination. The reality is the team can find more fiscally responsible ways to invest $300 million, especially with a roster full of young core players who will require long-term contracts. Harper and the Nationals arrive Friday at Wrigley Field for a three-game series barely above .500, a preseason National League pennant contender that has endured its share of disappointment this summer. An October rematch with the Cubs remains a slim possibility given the Nationals’ talent level, but more suspense surrounds the pending free agency of their 25-year-old outfielder. Will Bryce join Bryzzo in Chicago? On the surface, the easy answer is a question: Why not? Look around Wrigleyville and all revenue streams converge at Clark and Addison. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts’ pockets are even deeper than this team’s bench. With Major League Baseball’s fourth-highest payroll at $188.6 million, the Cubs have reached the level where they should consider chasing every elite free agent and competing for the World Series every season. Signing a player of Harper’s ilk would be in character for a club that inked free agents Jon Lester, Jason Heyward and Yu Darvish to nine-figure contracts. But just because Ricketts has the money doesn’t mean the Cubs have to spend it — especially given the contract extensions likely due Bryant, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Hendricks in the coming years. And how will those new deals affect the dynamic with team leader Anthony Rizzo, whose team- friendly contract expires in 2021? At some point, the inflation of winning inevitably will catch up with the Cubs. In a game dominated by analytics, the bottom line still rules. Even for a successful big-market team such as the Cubs, a budget still matters. Represented by agent Scott Boras, Harper and infielder Manny Machado figure to sign free-agent contracts that will help them surpass Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton as baseball’s highest-paid player. Stanton’s 13-year, $325 million deal runs through 2027. If the Cubs are willing to make that sizable of an investment in a single player, it makes sense for that to be Bryant or Baez. Baez, a legitimate MVP candidate, is baseball’s best bargain at a $657,000 salary. Bryant, the 2016 MVP suffering through an injury-plagued season, earns $10.8 million this year but is worth locking up long term.