March 25, 2015 CSNChicago.com, Cubs: Joe Maddon making a strong case for Javier Baez http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-joe-maddon-making-strong-case-javier-baez CSNChicago.com, Edwin Jackson gets lost on way to Cubs game http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/edwin-jackson-gets-lost-way-cubs-game CSNChicago.com, Cubs lining up Jon Lester for Opening Night http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-lining-jon-lester-opening-night Chicago Tribune, There's much that bears watching regarding Cubs and White Sox http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cubs-white-sox-spring-haugh-spt-0325-20150324- column.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Edwin Jackson reverts to 2014 form in extremely rocky outing http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spring-training-spt-0325-20150324-story.html Chicago Tribune, Tuesday's recap: Athletics 14, Cubs 2 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-gameday-cubs-spring-training-spt-0325-20150324- story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Jon Lester to make next start in minor league game http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-jon-lester-to-pitch-in-minor-league-game- 20150324-story.html Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Edwin Jackson gets lost on way to ballpark, gets rocked once he shows http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/468121/cubs-edwin-jackson-gets-lost-way-ballpark-gets-rocked- shows Chicago Sun-Times, Another day, another homer for Cubs' Kris Bryant http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/468049/another-day-another-homer-cubs-kris-bryant Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs pitcher Travis Wood could be Maddon's first PH option in some games http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/468024/cubs-pitcher-travis-wood-maddons-first-ph-option- games Chicago Sun-Times, Javy Baez told he'll make Cubs' roster despite strikeout woes http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/467321/struggling-2b-javy-baez-told-hell-make-cubs-roster- despite-strikeout-woes Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Jon Lester to finish spring with controlled minor-league starts http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/467225/cubs-jon-lester-finish-spring-controlled-minor-league- starts Cubs.com, 9 is fine: Bryant homers -- again http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114663494/chicago-cubs-top-prospect-kris-bryant-hits-ninth-home-run Cubs.com, GPS issues start rough day for Jackson http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114697868/gps-issues-start-rough-day-for-cubs-starter-edwin-jackson Cubs.com, Bryant's 9th homer not enough for Cubs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114692706/kris-bryants-9th-homer-not-enough-to-overcome-edwin- jacksons-struggles-in-cubs-loss Cubs.com, Maddon remains confident in Baez despite strikeouts http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114676872/cubs-manager-joe-maddon-remains-confident-in-javier- baez-despite-strikeouts Cubs.com, Lester set for Minor League start http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114657596/jon-lester-will-make-minor-league-start-thursday-for- chicago-cubs Cubs.com, Given birthday off, recovered Castro ready to return http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114670346/recovering-chicago-cubs-shortstop-starlin-castro-set-to- return-vs-mariners Cubs.com, Spring power outage not a concern for Rizzo http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114640236/spring-power-outage-not-a-concern-for-chicago-cubs- anthony-rizzo Cubs.com, After 'pen session, Lester confident he's on track http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114600784/cubs-pitcher-jon-lester-throws-bullpen-session-is-on-track- for-opening-night ESPNChicago.com, Kris Bryant goes deep again, outfield next http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29383/chicago-cubs-kris-bryant-goes-deep-again-of-next ESPNChicago.com, Edwin Jackson late to the park and lost on the mound http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29375/jackson-late-to-the-park-and-lost-on-the-mound ESPNChicago.com, Cubs cautious with ace Jon Lester http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12552792/jon-lester-chicago-cubs-pitch-count-opening-day-start ESPNChicago.com, Kyle Hendricks just getting started http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29368/hendricks-just-getting-started -- CSNChicago.com Cubs: Joe Maddon making a strong case for Javier Baez By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – Joe Maddon keeps making the case for Javier Baez to be in the Opening Day lineup. Maddon came into camp talking about how there’s no entitlement program and nobody’s on scholarship, but the Cubs manager clearly sees something right now in Baez, his boom-or-bust potential and an unfinished roster. Baez even told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday that he’s already been told he’s making the team. Maybe “Freakonomics” will be required reading at THE Cub University. Professor Maddon referenced that bestselling book from a University of Chicago economist (Steven Levitt) and a New York Times-affiliated journalist (Stephen Dubner) while thinking about Baez and the idea that the answers lie below the surface. “It’s like a duck on top of the water,” Maddon said before an ugly 14-2 loss to the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium. “It looks smooth on the top. It could be very difficult underneath. Or vice versa. “If you just want to look at the numbers that are on the back of baseball cards for the last 50 years, you’re going to be misled sometimes.” Kris Bryant then went out and blasted his ninth Cactus League home run, or one for every Cubs game he will miss while serving the 12 days needed to push his free agency to 2021. While Baseball America’s No. 1 prospect does his time at Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs can only hope Baez generates some of that power during the inevitable low- scoring games in April. Because Baez is hitting .128 with 14 strikeouts and three walks in 39 at-bats. He hasn’t really passed the eye test either, with some around the team wondering when a young player with a stubborn streak is going to stop taking so many big swings and start making adjustments. “I might be the only guy sitting around here to tell you I’m really not concerned about that right now,” Maddon said. “The swing has nothing to do with it for me. And that’s the obvious, surface-layer kind of stuff. That’s the part that’s gonna change. But if you’re breaking down the other components of his game, this is one of the best young players I’ve seen. Period.” The Cubs also don’t profile as a particularly strong defensive team and Baez – a natural shortstop – could be a good answer at second base with his range and athleticism. “I come from the land of run prevention,” said Maddon, who helped build the Tampa Bay Rays into a perennial contender. “He’s only being judged from the outside by his swings. That’s it. Think about the rest of his game. What have you seen otherwise? “Ask the pitchers what they think about when he’s playing defense. How about the runs that you save? “That’s part of my evaluation process. A guy like that – when he finally arrives here consistently – I think there’s going to be that exhale that’s going to permit him to become a better offensive player relatively fast.” Baez insisted that he hasn’t been pressing or worrying about making the team while Cubs fans and the Chicago media keep focusing on the strikeouts. “I’m just going to do my job and try to do my best,” Baez said. Maddon has been talking about Baez for a few days now and his answers have gone beyond just trying to pump up a young player’s confidence. Baez is still only 22 years old, a first-round talent with eye-opening numbers in the minors. “It would be nice to get like 25 finished products,” Maddon said. “It doesn’t happen. It’s not going to happen. I am not opposed to taking somebody that’s a little bit unpolished and help them get to that final level.” -- CSNChicago.com Edwin Jackson gets lost on way to Cubs game By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – There are times where it feels like nothing has gone according to plan since Edwin Jackson signed that $52 million contract with the Cubs. Jackson showed up late to Hohokam Stadium – the remodeled facility where the Cubs trained for 17 years – and things only got worse during Tuesday’s 14-2 loss to the Oakland A’s. “I actually put it in Google Maps and typed in ‘Oakland Athletics spring training complex,’” Jackson said. “It took me to the old one. I know, it’s crazy, but, yeah, that pretty much sums it up. “A crazy, crazy way to start a day.” Jackson left before the team bus and wound up at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, which is now home to the Arizona State University baseball team. The Cubs still keep a Mesa mailing address by the Tempe/Scottsdale border, with Google Maps saying Sloan Park is 3.6 miles away from Hohokam Stadium. Dressed in full uniform, Jackson said he still got there about 25 minutes before first pitch. The Cubs decided to use reliever Blake Parker in the first inning. “I think I still would have been ready to go,” Jackson said, “but they didn’t want to rush it.” It got ugly with Jackson giving up eight runs on nine hits in 1.2 innings. Oakland put together seven consecutive two-out hits in the third before manager Joe Maddon took the ball from Jackson.