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More good Hendricks news, Al.
From Comcast SportsNet
- The Cubs think their farm system can live up to the hype.
- Al hearts this article: Kyle Hendricks is ready to take the next step with the Cubs.
- Starlin Castro is ready to get his swagger back in the lead-off spot.
- Tom Ricketts thinks the team can make the playoffs. Snicker.
- Jose Veras says he's ready for the pressure of Wrigley Field.
- Ryan Kalish isn't playing the "what if?" game when it comes to his time with the Red Sox.
- Jake Arrieta is still pushing to be ready by Opening Day.
- Javier Baez showed his power in a prodigious BP session. I tell you... he's got the touch, he's got the power.
From Cubs Den
- Some people flipped their collective (stuff) over Tom Ricketts' playoff remarks. Cubs Den says it's too early for that... stuff.
- Cub notes are all Castro, all the time.
- More notes look at challenging Kyle Hendricks and more. The section labeled "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Carlos" was also fun.
From Cubs.com
- Josh Vitters is trying to maintain a child-like attitude.
- NRI outfielder Ryan Kalish marveled at the U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey Team.
- Jonathan Sanchez threw a no-hitter in 2009 to Eli Whiteside. The two are now reunited in camp with the Cubs.
- Mike Olt can see clearly now. I assume the rain is gone (since he's in Arizona).
- Kyle Hendricks took on the team's three best hitters in his first live BP session. While it would be nice for Carrie to, you know, report and say how the session went, I think this is a sign the team is looking seriously at Hendricks. They don't want to just see how he pitches. They want to see what he can do against the best the Cubs have to offer.
- Tom Ricketts is optimistic about this season and beyond.
- Jason Hammel is already comfortable with life as a Cub.
From ESPNChicago.com
- Junior Lake wants to make the best of the chance he is (apparently) being handed.
- Carlos Villanueva and his epic mustache are eyeing a team turnaround.
- Want to ask Albert Almora a question? Click here.
- (Video) Rick Renteria is identifying team leaders.
- (Video) Starlin Castro is prepping for a bounce back.
- Anthony Rizzo is looking for consistency in what is, after all, only his second full big league season.
- There's plenty of optimism for the future. This year? Not so much.
- It's all coming full circle for Kris Bryant, thanks to Carlos Villanueva. It makes sense. Promise.
- Jeff Samardzija starting the Cactus League opener is among the notes here.
From the Chicago Tribune
- Could Emilio Bonifacio be an option at the top of the Cubs' order?
- Nate Schierholtz had a little collision and Javier Baez is punishing baseballs.
- (Video) You can watch James McDonald pitch BP.
- Ryan Sweeney will try and improve his power numbers. This always worries me when a player is conscious of trying to hit for more pop. It seems to cause swing troubles often.
- (Video) Josh Vitters talks about a move to the outfield.
- Luis Valbuena is just happy to be out of Venezuela.
- Jonathan Sanchez is looking for a career turnaround.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- Theo Epstein says he'll stick with the Cubs through thick and thin.
- Homer Bailey's contract will set a new market for Jeff Samardzija.
- Starlin Castro is among the players who will miss Derek Jeter. FWIW, I don't like the use of "reminisce" in the headline. I always associate (perhaps incorrectly) that word with the deceased. The Captain isn't even retired yet.
- A ghostwriter stole Gordo's byline long enough to write that Albert Almora is a natural-born leader. I know it will probably get fewer clicks, Gordo, but more of that, less of the blather.
From the Daily Herald
- Eventually, the Cubs will turn to Kris Bryant. What made me laugh is that a picture of Mike Olt accompanied this article (as of me grabbing the link Friday afternoon).
Today's food for thought
- Baby goats are cute.
- Are human brains more similar to their canine counterparts than we thought?