The Cubs Didn’t Cheat, Rizzo’s Ankle, Baseball Drama, and Other Cubs Bullets

I’m on my way to Chicago for the Cubs Convention and I hope to see many of you fine folks there. I plan to live stream on Twitter when I’m able, so make sure you’re following @BleacherNation on Twitter if you aren’t already.

  • With the drama even further enveloping MLB, it’s good to hear from The Captain that the Cubs were definitely clean:
  • Of more important note on Anthony Rizzo’s battered ankle, on which he played, but which needed serious offseason recovery – and still needs some time:
  • I wouldn’t worry too much (beyond that which you would normally worry about ANY Cubs injury … ), because we’re still over two months out from the regular season, and Rizzo’s the type of hitter who isn’t going to need a ton of Spring Training action to be ready.
  • As for batting leadoff, if there isn’t some fundamental change to the roster between now and Opening Day, then there’s very little reason Rizzo shouldn’t be batting leadoff most of the time with this group. It was crystal clear by midseason last year that it should be the case, and it just took far too long for everyone to get on board.
  • More on Rizzo, who is under team control for just two more years:
  • At least the rumors about the grievance decision have it not coming until next week at the earliest:
  • I’m imagining word on the grievance dropping as Bryant crosses the stage in introductions, his Apple Watch buzzes, he glances down, and starts doing pelvic thrusts and cartwheels.
  • Oh my god, it was all worth it:
  • The Mets are not paying Carlos Beltran any of his contract, by the way (worth $3 million), and instead made a $200,000 donation to his charitable foundation.
  • As for the Astros’ managerial opening, they got permission to interview Cubs third base coach Will Venable, and they will indeed do so today:
  • It’s going to be hard not to call you Grandpa, Grandpa:
  • It’s not quite apples and oranges – maybe apples and pears? – but it still is interesting:
  • Pointing out the good, too:
  • Also, Brad Wieck and Trevor Megill are so freaking huge:
  • 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.

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