Still Time for Nico, Castellanos Gets It, Media Changes, Scary O’s Situation, and Other Cubs Bullets

Although I am not a particularly hairy person by nature, I nevertheless will find – as most humans do – hairs that I’m just like, why do you exist? What is the evolution purpose of you? Was ancient man put in endless peril until he evolved that ONE eyebrow hair that is twice as long as all the rest? Is that what saved our species? THAT HAIR?!?

  • A lot of fans are pining for Nico Hoerner to make the club as its Opening Day second baseman, but, although that hasn’t been ruled out, it’s not a sure thing to be the best for the Cubs *OR* for Hoerner in the near or long-term. I think we all know where we want to see Hoerner’s approach get so he can maximize his offensive value. From Theo Epstein (Cubs.com): “He’s one of those hitters with a gift of great bat control and contact ability. But, I think it’s becoming a little more intentional, a little bit more disciplined about what he’s looking for earlier in the count and what he can really drive and not getting himself out on pitcher’s pitches.” It’s the adjustment that so many contact-oriented young hitters have to make as they climb the ladder: just because you can hit everything doesn’t mean you should hit everything.
  • There’s also just the reality of Hoerner’s extremely limited pro experience so far. Hoerner has barely 450 professional plate appearances total at this point, with about 370 of those coming at AA or lower, and none at AAA. Other fast-arriving college bats: Kris Bryant had nearly 800 minor league PAs before he arrived. Kyle Schwarber had over 600, and then had to be sent back down. Ian Happ had nearly 1,000, and then had to be sent back down. If Hoerner is ready and can continue to improve in the big leagues? Cool. But if not, no one should be surprised if there’s still some needed development time. The Cubs want the best Nico Hoerner, not necessarily the earliest-arriving Nico Hoerner if those aren’t able to be the same thing yet.
  • 48-hour sale at the MLB Shop – Cubs stuff here.
  • Something something Nick Castellanos can be a free agent after this season if he opts out something something:
  • Among Castellanos’ comments about the Cubs organization, and about running a business with baseball at its heart: “I’m not an owner. I don’t know the intricacies of owning a team. The only thing I can speak on when it comes to the Cubs is what a tremendous and incredible soul that organization has when it has life. The only thing I would care about if I owned the Cubs would be to give it as much life as possible. It’s hard, I don’t know what it’s like to own a business. I just know what it’s like to want to win baseball games …. I don’t know the five-year plan, the 10-year plan. I don’t know the business aspect of what getting under the luxury tax means to them. I don’t know the details of TV deals that teams are signing. I don’t know any of that. What I care about and what I pay attention to is the beauty of what happens in between the lines. I think if that is taken care of and that is nurtured, everything else is going to follow.”
  • Take care of the team. Take care of the energy. Take care of the winning. And then the money will follow. I actually tend to think that’s a pretty sophisticated business take in today’s pro sports climate, so I give Castellanos credit on that.
  • I laughed:
  • Yard tools, reading materials, deodorant stuff, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon today. #ad
  • The NHL has announced it is closing its locker rooms to the media during the coronavirus scare, but MLB is not following suit for now:
  • It would seem … odd that a league honestly thinks having a few extra people in the locker room, specifically, is somehow going to be the source of additional spread. Unlike huge crowds, you’re talking about a very limited set of people who can take precautions and then do their job.
  • Scary news out of Orioles camp, as outfielder Trey Mancini has left the team for a non-baseball-related medical procedure – the club is not going to specify, for privacy reasons – and he is expected to miss some time. As one of the Orioles’ few good players, losing Mancini for any amount of time is only going to improve their chances to lose 120+ games, though it’s hard to think too much about that when you see quotes like this from teammates:
  • Best wishes to Mancini and his family, whatever the circumstances.
  • 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

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ Back in, PCA Sits

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back at Wrigley Field tonight against the Pirates, facing a 22-year-old fireballer who threw six strong innings against them last weekend, Jared Jones. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for the rematch...

    MLBits: Red-Hot Rockies, Sticky Stuff Suspension, Salvy’s Patience Paying Off, More

    The longest active winning streak in baseball belongs to ... the Rockies. More on the red-hot Rox and more in today's MLB Notes. The Red-Hot Rockies? A little over a week ago, the Rockies were 8-28. Since then, they've won...

    The Cubs Are Coming Home to Face the Pirates

    Cubs vs Pirates — There's going to be a little deja vu here for the next week, as the Cubs play seven straight games against the Pirates and Braves after just wrapping up six games against ... the Pirates and...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 16, 2024: Brennan Davis Goes Yard in Iowa Loss

    Brennan Davis' fifth home run of the season was not enough for the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday as they fell to the Syracuse Mets in a rain-shortened affair. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report |...

    Javier Assad is the Definition of Pitchability

    Like his rotation-mate Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad has reached the point where, after every single start, you want to say the same thing: wow, that was awesome, this guy is good. It gets a little stale, in an extremely desirable...

    Joe Buck is Returning to the Booth to Call a Cubs-Cardinals Game

    I know that Joe Buck is a polarizing broadcaster. Some people love him. Some people hate him. I also know that he seems to have gone through phases in his career where there were stretches I thought he was mutably...

    Pete Crow-Armstrong Put on a Show, and Continues to Make a Strong Case for Continued Playing Time

    Pete Crow-Armstrong put on a show last night, which I mean in the most literal sense. It was more like a performance than a baseball game. Bases-loaded HBP while showing bunt? OK, sure. Running easily to first on a dropped...

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    Impressive Fill-In Guys, Bullpen Health, Roberts, Javy, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Cubs come back home from the Pittsburgh-Atlanta road trip having split it 3-3, and I gotta say, that's a pretty solid outcome when (1) you're facing Jones and Skenes, (2) you're playing three in Atlanta where they'd lost just...

    Brennen Davis Homered Again, Back-to-Back with B.J. Murray Jr. (Whom We Should Discuss)

    Just about as soon as I could talk about how Brennen Davis had homered for the third time in four games, he homered AGAIN, making it four times in five games. And this time, just for fun, B.J. Murray Jr....

    Latest News

    Minnesota Vikings Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    Under the helm of third-year coach Kevin O'Connell, the Minnesota Vikings embark on a new chapter. The departure of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who led the team for six years, marks a significant transition. During Cousins' tenure, the Vikings attained...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ Back in, PCA Sits

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back at Wrigley Field tonight against the Pirates, facing a 22-year-old fireballer who threw six strong innings against them last weekend, Jared Jones. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for the rematch...

    Miami Dolphins Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The top-ranked offense in the NFL from last season is back, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Additionally, they've bolstered their roster during the offseason by adding talent such as Odell Beckham Jr.,...

    Indianapolis Colts Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2024 season with their eyes set on the playoffs. With a healthy Anthony Richardson at quarterback and a bolstered receiving core, optimism hangs heavy over Lucas Oil Stadium. Let's delve into their 2024 NFL schedule...

    NFL Schedule-makers Gifted Caleb Williams and the Bears a Soft Landing

    If Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears get off to a good start this season, someone at Halas Hall should send a gift basket of Italian beef, tavern-style pizza, hot dogs, sport pepper Malört, and other Chicago delicacies to the...

    Houston Texans Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Houston Texans were the surprise team of the season last year thanks to the emergence of rookies C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. and an excellent job by rookie head coach and offensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik....

    New England Patriots Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The New England Patriots are coming off their worst season in over three decades and have officially turned the page on the Belichick-Brady era by hiring Jerod Mayo as their new head coach. They’ve also hit the reset button at...

    My Favorite 2024 NFL Schedule Release Videos

    Schedule release day in the NFL is one of my favorite non-game days of the year. NFL social media teams work hard to create entertaining videos revealing their teams' schedules for the upcoming season. Here are my favorite 2024 NFL...

    San Francisco 49ers Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    Brock Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers to an NFC Championship and their second Super Bowl appearance in the last five years in 2023. Will they pick up where they left off and continue to dominate the NFC this season?...

    Ope! The Bears Also Announced Their 2024 Preseason Schedule

    ESPN's Monday Night Football team will call the first game of the Caleb Williams Era when the Chicago Bears play the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. This will mark the first time the Hall of...

    more cubs news