Cub Tracks ‘hoerns’ in on the fun

Cubs’ scrubs win. Al has the recap. Yu Darvish has jokes.

The prevailing narrative is your basic ‘remains to be seen’ stuff ... which makes sense, really, even if outlier Tony Andracki advocates freaking out. One ... small sample size, spring training, yadda yadda, and two, different environment as far as climate and pressure/expectations, people working on stuff instead of unleashing everything competitively. But that stuff gets old, midway through the spring session, and, as much as I disliked scrounging for anything Cubs-related all winter long, I’m ready for real-game “this time it counts” action, and probably you are, too. We’re workin’ on it. I’d also like to see every game on my big screen ...

But that’s not gonna happen til the season begins.

So ... grab you a cuppa, smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, and without further ado, here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Nico Hoerner testimonials:

“Everyone wants to be a shortstop, and I’m going to play shortstop for as long as I can and really work on that,” Hoerner said. “But if you come up in the Cubs system thinking you’ll play only one position, you’re crazy.”

Hoerner played second base during his freshman year at Stanford before moving to shortstop, and he believes he can play third base, left and center field.

“I’ll do whatever I can,” Hoerner said. “If I hit, there will be opportunity. I just want to be prepared for whatever opportunity there is.” — Mark Gonzales.

“He’s impressed everybody with his work ethic,” Epstein said. “He’s had a real nice experience. His first full bona fide big league camp will be a lot easier for him now, and he’s more familiar with the atmosphere around the big leagues. And the players, the coaches and staff have gotten to know him a little bit better. It’s just been a real productive scenario all around.” — Jordan Bastian.

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Joe Maddon, Theo Epstein weigh in on new rule changes. “I don’t feel like this is the end,” Epstein said.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Healthy Darvish toys with former teammates. “Darvish ... has been lined up as the Cubs’ No. 2 starter throughout the spring schedule.” Yu dealt against the Rangers. Patrick Mooney {$} weighs in.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): The Cubs may be in a precarious position with their bullpen. “...it’s understandable why Cubs fans might be freaking out...”
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): Cubs happy with bullpen depth despite questions surrounding top relievers. “I think that depth will help us get through, if a couple guys [are sidelined],” says Theo Epstein. Mark Gonzales amplifies.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): 19 for ‘19: Is this the year young pitchers finally come up from farm system to help in Chicago? “We’re entering Year 8 of Theo Epstein’s regime at Wrigley Field and Rob Zastryzny still has been the most impactful pitcher drafted and developed by this front office.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Dillon Maples an intriguing bullpen option. “There is the high-octane fastball and the elite slider, but there is also that invisible vertical rectangle that has been a source of torment for the righty.”
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation): Allen Webster, bullpen construction, minor league options, and opportunity cost. “... Webster is out of minor league option years.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Willson Contreras lays down the truth on his 2018 season: ‘I didn’t deserve to have a good year’. “I came out of my routine completely,” he said.
• Madeleine Kenney (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Daniel Descalso says shoulder ‘feels better’ but timeline still unclear. “I don’t think it’s something to be too worried about,” he said Friday. Jordan Bastian adds on, saying that Cristhian Adames is a candidate for the Opening Day roster if the Cubs must adjust.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Hoerner won’t make the opening-day roster, but Cubs impressed with his quick adjustment to pro baseball. “I know if I show up on a daily basis and take advantage of the resources, then I’m in a pretty good position,” he said.
• Ryan Thomure (Cubs Insider): Albert Almora Jr’s box score numbers mask potential for even less patient plate approach. “...it looks like he’ll continue to go as far as his BABIP will take him.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs and White Sox legends are now playable in MLB The Show 19. I only haz PS3. I haz a sad.

Cubs birthdays: Walt Kinzie, Vic Keen, Ken O’Dea, Vern Olsen, Hobie Landrith, Hee-Seop Choi. Also notable: Lloyd Waner (HoF)

Food for thought: