#CubsCon Rolling On, the Player Perspective on Not Making Additions, and Other Bullets
Apologies for the late and quick Bullets, but I’m taking in the Convention right now, and we’ll have more on whatever shakes loose later on. I will note that at Theo Epstein’s panel just now, he did say this:
Theo: When I and we haven't done our jobs as artfully as we expect, the flexibility (re budget) isn't going to be the same. You don't usually notice the budget for that reason, but this year, we haven't put ourselves in that position. I can't go over budget.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 19, 2019
So. No real questions there. The budget is limiting what the front office can do right now, in terms of adding players.
- On that topic, Kris Bryant offers a different kind of perspective on the lack of a major offensive addition this offseason, and – coming from a player – I really dig it (Cubs.com): “Honestly, I understand some of the fan frustration. But, as a player, that feels pretty good, knowing that your owner, and your president and GM all trust the team that we have. That means something to us, knowing that, ‘Hey, we don’t really need another addition, because we know that the talent that we have is pretty dang good.’ I like the team we have. A lot of these guys have been on that [2016] World Series team.”
- Also, Bryant on his shoulder:
Kris Bryant on his shoulder: "My shoulder feels great, everything feels good. We got … three weeks extra this year," which Bryant used to help get his shoulder "right."
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) January 19, 2019
- Sounds like Sonny Gray could be moved this weekend, and it very well could be to the Reds:
Yankees and #Reds are getting closer on a Sonny Gray trade. Teams are talking about two prospects and a draft pick going for Sonny. One of 2B prospect Shed Long and C prospect Tyler Stephenson may go. #SFGiants, Braves, Brewers are on periphery. A deal should happen this weekend.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 19, 2019
- The Cubs have style:
Center stage at #CubsCon! 🐻✨ pic.twitter.com/jQ9Rvagwke
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 19, 2019
.@pstrop46 and his people. #CubsCon pic.twitter.com/KdGd2J8wJo
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 19, 2019
- The Opening Ceremonies, if you couldn’t watch:
#CubsCon Opening Ceremony https://t.co/byzqf34D2D
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 19, 2019
- And Ryan Dempster’s Super Happy Fun Hour:
It’s Friday Night with @Dempster46! #CubsCon https://t.co/c0yiFtmNN7
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 19, 2019
- Let’s hope this didn’t quite come out the way Joe Maddon intended:
First fan question of the day is to Joe about how poorly he handled the Addison Russell situation. Asked him what he learned. Joe told him he was sorry he (the fan) mis-interpreted his thoughts.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) January 19, 2019
- This would certainly be wild:
More than one major league source has suggested that Nolan Arenado is the Yankees’ real 3B target. More:https://t.co/XyaU0zuTIX
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 18, 2019