Bryant Full Go on His Shoulder, Bench Coach Options, and Other Bullets

December 13, 2018, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

The Rule 5 Draft is today, and, given the Cubs’ bloated payroll, they may look to pluck a high-upside reliever in the draft to at least bring to Spring Training. Things get going at 11 am CT.

A few Cubs-specific updates from Scott Boras, who has a couple notable Cubs clients:

Boras said Bryant has no restrictions on shoulder, looks great
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) December 12, 2018

Boras said he's heard a rumor about the Cubs possibly listening for trade offers on Kris Bryant but assured everybody it's not true.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) December 12, 2018

Boras said he thinks most of the conversations between Bryant and Harper are about hitting and they know their friendship doesn't play an actual role in Harper negotiations this winter.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) December 12, 2018

The latest on A. Russell from agent Scott Boras: "Addison (Russell) is well into working with local groups he is well into his therapy. This process has really been educational and defining for him."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) December 13, 2018

And from Jed Hoyer on Bryant’s shoulder:

Kris Bryant visited the Cubs suite today. Jed Hoyer: "It was good to see him. He looks great. He looks focused." No issue with shoulder.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) December 13, 2018

Patrick Mooney reports that the Cubs checked in with Mark DeRosa about the bench coach job, but it isn’t likely he’ll leave TV. Neither is it likely that David Ross will get back into the game full-time so soon. Jesse Rogers notes that long-time managerial candidate Raul Ibanez, who is currently a special assistant in the Dodgers’ front office, could be considered:

Btw, Don’t know where Cubs are with a new bench coach but Raul Ibanez is one early name I’ve heard to consider. (Besides Ross of course)
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) December 12, 2018

That won’t be the only change for the Cubs (er, well, it already was FAR from the only change):

The Cubs shuffle the deck at the top of their pro scouting department. Is that one of the “nuanced” improvements they make this winter? @sahadevsharma: https://t.co/nOfW2FzmSY
— The Athletic (@TheAthleticCHI) December 13, 2018

Speaking of some of that change, new pitching coach Tommy Hottovy says this was not necessarily the role he was gunning for when he got into this side of the game after his playing days, but with four years having worked with this staff and these players and the two previous pitching coaches, he’s ready to go (Sun-Times).
Cubs ticket packs are out on Friday:

https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1072915123164061697

I did know, and it makes me dream things:

#DailyDidYouKnow — Dillon Maples set an Iowa franchise record with a 17.67
K/9 rate (10.0+IP), while also leading PCL relievers (30.0+IP). pic.twitter.com/XkHQU71UKc
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) December 13, 2018