January 16, 2019 • Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon says Bryce Harper 'not happening' and that Cubs' improvements likely will come from within https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-joe-maddon-kyle-schwarber- ian-happ-20190115-story.html • Chicago Tribune, Column: Cubs Convention panels we'd like to see: Where's Bryce? Why’d ya do that, Joe? Should Ronnie Woo retire? https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-convention-bryce-harper- panels-20190116-story.html • Chicago Sun-Times, Bryce Harper in Cubs’ future? Joe Maddon says it’s ‘not going to happen’ https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/manager-joe-maddon-doesnt-mind-the-quietness-of-cubs- offseason/ • Daily Herald, Bryce Harper joining Cubs 'not going to happen,' Maddon says https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20190115/bryce-harper-joining-cubs-not-going-to-happen- maddon-says • The Athletic, If Bryce Harper is ‘not gonna happen,’ are the Cubs doing enough to keep up in the NL Central? https://theathletic.com/769614/2019/01/16/bryce-harper-cubs-nl-central-maddon/ • NBC Sports Chicago, Joe Maddon states that Bryce Harper on Cubs "not going to happen" https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/joe-maddon-states-bryce-harper-cubs-not-going-happen • NBC Sports Chicago, State of the Cubs: Shortstop https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/state-cubs-shortstop-javy-baez-addison-russell-bote- descalso -- Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon says Bryce Harper 'not happening' and that Cubs' improvements likely will come from within By Mark Gonzales Cubs manager Joe Maddon reinforced his belief that team President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer will address a need if they sense one with the same urgency that landed the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Cole Hamels and Jesse Chavez in past deadline deals. But Maddon echoed his bosses’ offseason line that the majority of the Cubs’ upgrades for 2019 probably will come from the current roster and not from a free-agent splash such as Bryce Harper. In fact, when asked about Harper during an appearance for the Union League Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday night, Maddon said: “Not happening.” “We feel as though all the ingredients are in the bowl already,” Maddon said before conducting a fireside chat for the club. “It’s already there. To just go out and purchase guys because some kids had a tough year is probably not good form. “I’m all about development, as we’ve talked about. I’m with the guys, Theo and Jed, regarding trying to extrapolate more with the group we already have because there’s a lot more left. We’ve seen it. We’ve got to get it more out there consistently. “I know that’s where the guys are coming from in the office. And just to go out and purchase players to purchase players, you might not be getting better than you already have.” Maddon has kept a watch on Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber, two young Cubs who have experienced their share of struggles after impressive rookie seasons. Maddon cited “specific items” to Happ and Schwarber — both former first-round draft picks — at the end of last year. The lines of communication have extended to shortstop Addison Russell, who is undergoing a rehab program as part of serving his 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic abuse policy. The Cubs agreed to terms Friday on a one-year, $3.4 million contract with Russell, who won’t be eligible to return until May 3 if he remains on the roster. “He seems to be in a good place,” Maddon said. “He’s really working to get things behind him and make sure he does and says the right things moving forward. It’s a maturation process on his part. He just has to know we support him, and we do.” Maddon said he exchanged text messages recently with Russell and spoke with him during the holidays. “He’s very excited about the progress he’s making,” Maddon said. Maddon acknowledged that Russell, who hasn’t spoken publicly since late September, still faces “a lot of obstacles and tough questions.” “But it’s just a matter of being honest and transparent about it,” Maddon said. “We understand what happened. Moving it forward, he understands and he’s taking culpability, responsibility for it. So now it’s about ... having this young man realize the fullness of his potential as a human being first. And then as a shortstop second. And that’s where we’re at. He’s got my support doing that.” Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation will conduct its annual “Thanksmas” event Thursday in Chicago. He said his foundation won’t be affected by him entering the final year of a five-year contract with the Cubs with a revamped coaching staff. “I always felt if you worked well and did your job, all that stuff would take care of itself,” Maddon said. “For me, that hasn’t changed. I still believe in those principles. My relationship cannot be better with the group right here.” Maddon said the only negative part of his contract status is the perception that a rift has developed between him and the front office. “There’s never been a disconnect,” Maddon said. “And that’s the only part I’ve not liked.” -- Chicago Tribune Column: Cubs Convention panels we'd like to see: Where's Bryce? Why’d ya do that, Joe? Should Ronnie Woo retire? By Paul Sullivan Created 33 years ago by former Cubs marketing wizard and current Blackhawks President John McDonough, the annual Cubs Convention returns Friday to the Sheraton Grand Chicago. A three-day infomercial for a multibillion-dollar business that people pay to attend, the convention model has been replicated by almost every professional sports franchise since, making the selling of a team a year-round event. “We wanted to market the product 12 months a year,” McDonough explained in an interview at the 1994 convention. “Beforehand, once the season ended, it got dark and you’d get ready for next year. We wanted to perpetuate everything.” The convention sometimes turned into a celebration of a memorable season but more often provided Cubs fans with an opportunity to vent after a losing one. This year’s edition could be an anomaly — venting after a 95-win season. Having covered dozens of Cubs Conventions for the Tribune since the second affair in 1987, when the hot topics were the possibilities of signing Andre Dawson and adding lights at Wrigley Field, I’ve listened to a few hundred hours of panel discussions on everything from the troughs to the farm system. Some of the panels remain staples. A question-and-answer session with general manager Dallas Green, manager Gene Michael, stadium operations manager Don Grenesko and farm director Gordon Goldsberry highlighted that ’87 convention. These days baseball operations President Theo Epstein, manager Joe Maddon, business operations President Crane Kenney and vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod head separate panels. The highlight Saturday figures to be a panel including owners Tom, Laura and Todd Ricketts, who could be asked to navigate a landmine-laden field of topics, including Addison Russell’s future, ticket prices, the lack of free-agent spending, the future of the Cubs network and the skinny seats. To their credit, the Ricketts siblings are willing to face the music in public at the convention, unlike former Tribune Co. executives and Sam Zell, the previous two owners. While we eagerly await answers from owners, management and players at this year’s convention, here are a few panels we’d like to see: Session: Where’s Bryce? Panelists: Tom Ricketts, Epstein, Kenney, general manager Jed Hoyer. Kenney once promised to dump a “wheelbarrow of money” in Epstein’s office to spend on the team. The Cubs ranked third in payroll last year, but free agent Bryce Harper reportedly desired to play with the Cubs and buddy Kris Bryant. The only Cubs free-agent signing so far is Daniel Descalso. With added revenues from new premium clubs, how come the wheelbarrow is empty? Session: Addison Russell — should he stay or should he go? Panelists: Epstein, Maddon, Laura Ricketts. Russell will make $3.4 million in 2019 while sitting out the first month because of a 40-game suspension for alleged domestic abuse. What went into the decision to keep Russell instead of non-tendering him, and do all athletes deserve a second chance? Session: Statue time Panelists: Billy Williams, vice president of restoration and expansion Carl Rice, Eddie Vedder. With additional open space in the plaza called Gallagher Way, the Cubs have room for at least one more statue. But who should get the honor: Fergie Jenkins? Greg Maddux? Maddon? Pat Hughes? Session: Yum Yum Donuts — a fond remembrance Panelists: Cubs ushers. For the price of a muffin at the upscale bakery in the Hotel Zachary, you could get an egg sandwich, doughnut and large coffee at the old greasy spoon located on the west side of the ballpark. You could also get indigestion and spend most of the game in the Wrigley restroom. Discuss. Session: Aramis Ramirez — Hall of Fame bound? Panelists: Cubs beat writers. Only five third basemen had more career RBIs than Ramirez’s 1,417, believe it or not. One of the more underrated hitters of the 2000s, the former Cub will be eligible for the Hall of Fame on the 2021 ballot. While Sammy Sosa languishes on the ballot, Ramirez could be the next Cub headed to Cooperstown. Session: Why’d ya do that, Joe? Panelists: Maddon, TV/radio personality David Kaplan.