5 key questions for Cubs as spring training approaches
After a quiet - and some would say queasy - off-season, the Cubs have got to be looking forward to getting back on the field.
That is going to happen Wednesday, when pitchers, catchers and new manager David Ross report to spring training in Mesa, Ariz., and finally get back to the joy of playing baseball.
The business side of the game bogged down the Cubs throughout the winter, and all money matters are going to spill over into the spring.
Sooner or later, club president Theo Epstein is going to have to cut payroll to keep the Cubs from going over the luxury tax threshold for a second straight season. That means a big-name player might be wearing a different uniform before the Cubs head to Milwaukee for the March 25 season opener.
There has been nonstop trade speculation since the 2019 season ended with the Cubs watching the playoffs from home after four straight postseason appearances.
Which player ultimately winds up being moved tops the list of 5 questions heading into spring training.
1. Bye, bye Bryant?
A big salary needs to be moved, and the Cubs have a glaring need for young talent.
On the surface, trading a player as good as Kris Bryant makes little sense, but he's making $18.6 million this season and that will jump well over $20 million in 2021.
After losing his service-time grievance, Bryant is not eligible for free agency for two more years. He would undoubtedly bring back a nice package of players in any deal.
Even though the Cubs will take a major public relations hit if Bryant is traded, the 2016 National League MVP reportedly turned down a $200 million extension in 2018.
Epstein said everything is still on the table and any kind of move would be nothing personal.
"I have all the respect in the world for Kris Bryant," Epstein said. "I appreciate everything he's done as a Cub; I'm very proud of what he's done as a Cub. I'm glad we drafted him and developed him, although he didn't need much development at all.
"I'm proud to have been alongside of him for all this time and I hope it continues. And there's a really good chance that it will."
2. Destination known?
The Twins were one team identified as a trade partner with the Cubs in a Bryant move, but they wound up signing free-agent Josh Donaldson to a 4-year, $92 million contract.
The Braves still look like the favorite to acquire Bryant and the Cubs would undoubtedly want one, or both, of Atlanta's top outfield prospects - Cristian Pache and Drew Waters.
Looking to replace Anthony Rendon, the Nationals can offer promising young infielder Carter Kieboom in a package for Bryant.
3. Anybody else?
When it comes to potential trades Epstein is listening on all of his players, including Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez.
Catcher Willson Contreras might be a more likely candidate to be shipped out.
He's only making $4.5 million this year, but Contreras is under contractual control through the 2023 season. One of the top catchers in the game, his trade value is off the charts.
The Cubs could plug in Victor Caratini if Contreras goes, and they have a possible backup in Josh Phegley, who is heading to training camp as a nonroster invitee.
While they don't have many premium prospects in the minor leagues, the Cubs are understandably high on young catcher Miguel Amaya, who could be ready in 2021.
4. Can he manage?
Replacing Joe Maddon, a future Hall of Famer, is no easy task.
In addition to going 471-229 (.581) in his five seasons as manager, Maddon cemented his legend status in 2016 when the Cubs finally won the World Series.
No matter how great of a run it was, nothing lasts forever. Maddon has moved on to the Angels and David Ross steps in as his replacement.
Ross has no experience managing at any level, and you probably remember how that worked out for Robin Ventura on the South Side a few years ago.
The former catcher is hoping to have a better go at it than Ventura did with the White Sox. They are both easygoing, but Ross said he has another side.
"I think there's a little bit of a misconception about the fun-loving Grandpa Rossy, which I love and I'm very thankful for," he said. "But I don't think that's me in the dugout. To the core, I'm a guy that has a lot of expectations when I come into work. I'm very professional, I expect professionalism. And those traits - the effort, the accountability - I don't shy away from having those tough conversations, good or bad."
5. Pitching poor?
The Cubs need to replace Cole Hamels in the starting rotation after the veteran lefty signed with the Braves.
The bullpen was hit with even more losses, as Steve Cishek (White Sox), Pedro Strop (Reds), Brandon Kintzler (Marlins), Kendall Graveman (Mariners) and David Phelps (Brewers) have all moved on.
The staff has some big holes heading into camp, but starter Yu Darvish looked like his old self (4-4, 2.76 ERA) in the second half of last season and pricey closer Craig Kimbrel should be much better after missing the first three months of 2019.