:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33456067/180316405.0.jpg)
Despite Friday's clunker, there is some good news to relay. There's some draft notes, encouraging minor league signs, and video of Javy leaving the stadium.
From Comcast SportsNet
- Cub players will believe in Wrigley renovations when they start seeing it happen, and not before. Can't blame 'em.
- After a humbling adjustment, it's finally clicking for Javier Baez.
- Some fans took offense that Derek Jeter didn't give a curtain call in his Wrigley Field farewell. Here's why "The Captain" didn't come calling.
- The Cubs are in a holding pattern with a couple top prospects.
- CSN wonders where Jed Hoyer and Rick Hahn rank among fellow GMs.
- Patrick Mooney thinks Jeff Samardzija's luck will change: when he's traded. That's depressing.
- Anthony Rizzo feels he has something to prove to the San Diego Padres.
- The Cubs are getting the sense that Kris Bryant is almost too good to be true. What I try and force myself to remember is this: at this time one year ago, Bryant was still finishing his college career. Now he's demolishing Double-A pitching.
From Cubs Den
- A couple names could be climbing the Cubs' draft board, with an underslot deal a growing possibility.
- This link is their minor league wrap of Thursday's games, but there's a small draft update about Jed Hoyer taking in a recent strong performance by LSU pitcher Aaron Nola.
- Even more draft notes, plus Baseball Prospectus shares thoughts on a pair of the Cubs' headline IFA signings from last summer.
From Cubs.com
- Jeff Samardzija's tough luck is reaching historic levels.
- Even with an extra arm out there, the Cubs' bullpen is enduring a heavy workload.
- A couple top prospects are swinging hot bats.
- Carlos Villanueva helped put the bullpen back in order. Of course, Edwin Jackson tried to ruin that the next night.
- Anthony Rizzo's biggest improvements this season has come against left-handed pitching.
From ESPNChicago.com
- ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell explains why the Wrigley renovations are back online.
- Jose Veras is back to where he was before: struggling.
- Javier Baez is giving credit to the "Fuzz Machine" for turning around his slump.
- David Schoenfield runs the numbers to show how similar the Cubs and Brewers really are.
- For his part, Jesse Rogers basically dismisses run differential, using alarmingly terrible "logic" to reach his conclusion.
From the Chicago Tribune
- Injured Padres' pitcher and former Cub Andrew Cashner says Wrigley Field is a "dump." That may be true, but Andrew has a truly terrible haircut (click here and scroll down to the story... or, Google).
- Kyle Hendricks is coming on strong at Triple-A Iowa.
- The Padres are lauding the grit of their former coach, and current Cub manager, Rick Renteria.
- Cub starting pitchers are starting to get their act together.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- Cub players say the Wrigley renovation couldn't hurt the rebuild.
- Gordo reports that other teams were starting to show interest in potentially acquiring Edwin Jackson this summer. Friday's steamer may pump the brakes on that.
From the Daily Herald
- Jason Hammel says his hand will be fine after he took a shot off his pitching hand in his last start. As of this writing, Jason is set to take the bump later today.
Miscellaneous
- H/T to our Fanshot section. Fangraphs attributes Jeff Samardzija's success to becoming a whole new, efficient pitcher.
- In case you didn't see this video, MiLB.com has a clip of Javier Baez' Friday night home run that left the stadium in Round Rock, Arkansas. The highlight comes complete with bitter announcers.
Today's food for thought
- There are well-trained pets all over. From what I've seen, this is the top dog.