Cub Tracks and the Q ball

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).

“I don’t think it’s something I would want,” Bryant said Friday. “That’s a very long time. (Harper) is going to be 39 (when the contract expires). That’s crazy.”

“Obviously that’s what he wanted, and I’m happy he got what he wanted,” Bryant said. “He deserves it. He’s been one of the brightest stars in the game since he got called up. There’s been a lot of hype and energy surrounding him, and he’s handled it so well. It’s so nice to see him get what he deserves.”

Joe Maddon will host the fifth annual Respect Bald fundraiser at 12 p.m. CT on Saturday at the Cubs’ complex in Mesa, Ariz. This year, a select number of fans can participate by donating $100 to have their heads shaved, alongside Maddon, players, coaches and staffers. Cubs Charities will donate net proceeds to Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation in support of pediatric cancer research and programs. For more info, visit cubs.com/respectbald.

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): REPORT: MLB and Players may re-open the CBA *Before* it expires. “...in the history of the CBA (50 years), it has never happened.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Curveballs ‘point of emphasis’ for Kyle Hendricks. “Just being able to see it, see where I can use it in spots, working with more confidence,” Hendricks said.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Focused on changeup, Jose Quintana strong in debut. “I’m happy when I see how I feel with that changeup in different situations,” Quintana said.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Dillon Maples already running before he walks. “...Maples’ early numbers are really encouraging.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Willson Contreras might have already fixed his power and framing issues. “There’s a lot of people that doubt (me) because of last year,” Contreras said. “I’m gonna be quiet.” Jordan Bastian has more.
• Megan Mawicke (CBS Chicago*): Cubs’ Contreras will play with heavy heart thinking about his native Venezuela. “Contreras would like to bring back his Venezuelan flag arm sleeve for the season if baseball will allow him.”
• Bruce Miles (Daily Herald {$}): Wisdom, knowledge, perspective: What Anthony Rizzo has gained as he approaches 30. “I feel like every year I gain more wisdom and knowledge, “ he said.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Kris Bryant happy for pal Bryce Harper: ‘Now we’ll just have to beat him’. “I’m happy for Bryce. I would have loved to play with him. But it just didn’t work out, and now we’ll just have to beat him.” More on this subject by Wittenmyer. Mark Gonzales also has thoughts. Jordan Bastian adds on.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): If Harper got $330 million, what is Bryant’s value on the open market? “Ultimately, this is all just pure speculation and Bryant is still years away from free agency.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Bryant’s (sort of) unchanged swing and how he almost became a pitcher. “...until he hit a growth spurt as a sophomore, Bryant was just a scrawny little guy.”

Cubs birthdays:

• Charlie Bastian, William Fischer, Rip Wheeler, Rip Wheeler, Butch Weis, Woody English, Mort Cooper, Pete Broberg, Leo Gomez. Also notable: Mel Ott (HoF).

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. #Cubsnews