Cubs open spring training without Bellinger, but are talks warming up?
As the Cubs started spring training Wednesday in Mesa, Ariz., president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was again asked the obvious question — what's up with Cody Bellinger?
It's been the hot topic since the end of last season, when Bellinger hit the free-agent market after carrying the offense in his first year with the Cubs.
The Cubs are still in desperate need of a potent left-handed bat and Bellinger is still in need of a job. The two sides have always looked like the perfect match, but the calendar keeps moving forward and there is no deal.
Any updates?
"I've said dozens of times at this point I have nothing but admiration for (Bellinger),” Hoyer told reporters. “We're talking to tons of different free agents right now and we'll continue to do that."
At Cubs Convention a month ago, Hoyer said: “We're in the fourth or fifth inning of our off-season.” That was a nod to having plenty of time to bring Bellinger back or sign another proven free-agent bat like Matt Chapman.
On the first day of camp, Hoyer said: “The closer’s definitely warming up at this point.”
In late February of 2016, Dexter Fowler was still a free agent after rejecting the Cubs' $15.8 million qualifying offer after the 2015 season.
He wound up coming back on a one-year, $13 million contract and helped lead the Cubs to the World Series championship.
Even though Bellinger is looking for a much more lucrative deal than Fowler, there is time to get one done.
Until that happens — or doesn't happen — the Cubs are moving forward with the players they've got.
"I don't think we're ever going to feel complete,” Hoyer said. “We're always going to be looking for upgrades both now and all season long. That's our job. We're trying to focus on the guys who are here right now.
“We have a deep roster of players that have a chance to continue to get better and it gives me a lot of hope that we can accomplish this year what we couldn’t last year.”
Craig Counsell went through his first day of spring training as the Cubs' new manager Wednesday. He replaced David Ross, who was surprisingly fired in early November.
Counsell managed the Brewers the past nine seasons, so he knows all about the Cubs.
“There’s some familiarity from competing, for sure. and that feels good,” Counsell said. “There’s already a connection there because of that and I like that. It’s a place for us to start, start a conversation.”