Baez’s Huge Defensive Streak, Maddon’s Stellar Communication, and Other Bullets

I was not really familiar with the concept of “man-spreading” until The Wife accused me of it this week. Turns out, I am a serious offender, especially now that I have a crutch with me all the time. That thing gets laid out in the position most convenient to me, together with my computer bag – I need to be able to access them easily! – and I’m all splayed out because I usually have to elevate my foot. So I’m taking up a considerable area of space with my body and my crap. Sorry-ish everyone.

  • The advice Joe Maddon gave Javy Baez last year that helped him improve on defense when he had to spend a lot of time at shortstop? Well, it was a version of his famous do simple better mantra (CBS): “We had a conversation that he said really stuck with him last year. I had told him to please make the routine play routinely. He said that had really stuck with him. When the play required craziness, I told him we knew he could do that. The three-hopper to shortstop, come get it, play through it. Make an accurate throw. Apparently, that stuck. He told me once he thought in those terms, it really did slow it down for him.”
  • When we talk about the value of a manager, we often think first about the choices he makes that we can see – lineup decisions, playing time decisions, bullpen decisions. But so much of what we can’t see makes up the bulk of a manager’s value. For example? The ability to communicate a variety of concepts to a variety of players in a variety of ways to find the methods that will stick on that particular concept to that particular player in that particular way. An imperfect data slice on this one? In his first nine games taking over at shortstop for Addison Russell last year, Baez made four errors (think about that insane pace of errors if you spread it out over a season). Based on the description of the error that preceded that chat from Maddon, I think it was the error that came in that 9th game on August 12. After that chat? Baez went 26(!) straight games at shortstop without an error. How about that? In fact, he made only one error the entire rest of the season.
  • (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

  • Willson Contreras took it on himself last year when Jon Lester was struggling a bit (Cubs.com). Contreras immediately went to Lester asking what he could be doing differently, and what he could do to help.
  • A reminder that Cubs single game tickets go on sale at 10am CT this morning. And if you get closed out, you can always check out our partner StubHub via the links here at BN.
  • Hey, the first Cubs lineup of the year is out!
  • This is why you do two things in Spring Training: you get excited about the return of baseball, and you hold your breath on every pitch your team’s pitchers throw. This sucks for Honeywell, the Rays, and baseball, because he was probably gonna be a lot of fun to watch this year:
  • This is a fascinating way to look at the baseball map:
  • By this measure, the Cubs have one of the smallest should-be fan bases in baseball, even if you go by the population that is covered by the area of land this covers. Speaking of which, look at some of the teams that have the largest population within the closest driving time (which is not necessarily a “close” drive for some of those areas, mind you – but still closest). I definitely would have guessed Braves and Yankees up there, but how about the A’s, Reds, and Rays?
  • Annnnnnnnnd my heart has melted:
  • YES !!!! @vakosem & @arizz_44 !!!!

    A post shared by Naya Fowler (@nayafowler) on

  • I enjoy seeing things like this, because I’m sure it especially means a lot to the younger guys:
  • https://twitter.com/ChrisGimenez5/status/966855340900827136

  • A day later, I’m still blown away by this:
  • Sure, comparing a hi-res photo to a video screenshot is imperfect, I also think the lighting/uniform/body position is making Schwarber look even thinner in that second picture, but even accounting for that … holy smokes. I knew he was looking great, but until you see the pictures side by side, I mean, it’s just blowing my mind.
  • This is good news on the Bears front:
  • I am a pretty firm advocate of foam rollers (hand to God, rolling out my hamstrings and glutes has had a dramatic impact on my lower back pain and stiffness), and there’s a huge lightning deal at Amazon today on a combo hard and soft roller set.
  • Also, the MLB Shop is celebrating the return of baseball with a big one-day-only sale – 25% off all orders:
  • LET’S GO:
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

    Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Francisco Giants (0-1), led by Jorge Soler, visit Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

    The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Los Angeles take on St. Louis.When...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday, the New York Yankees (1-0) play Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    At Tropicana Field on Friday, Aaron Civale versus Chris Bassitt will be the pitching matchup when the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) play the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), starting at 6:50 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more cubs news