Jed Hoyer Speaks: Lobaton Addition, Rizzo’s Back, Testing Delays, Hendricks
The Cubs’ GM spoke with the media today getting into a range of topics. Make sure you’re following the Cubs beats on Twitter to keep up with the latest.
Among the bits from today …
The ongoing testing delays are obviously a major subject of concern, particularly with the season due to start in a week. It’s certainly on the Cubs’ radar:
Hoyer: MLB aware that pending test results can create problems during regular season, looking for remedy soon
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) July 16, 2020
Hoyer said he looks at other sports leagues regarding testing, adds MLB has challenge because they play every day with larger numbers than NBA
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) July 16, 2020
That the challenge is much greater for MLB is obvious, and no argument here. But nevertheless, MLB has to figure out a way to prevent teams from having to decide between maximizing player safety and maximizing on-field performance. We do not want teams to even have the option to play a guy when his test results have been delayed by a couple days because they’re willing to roll the dice.
On Anthony Rizzo’s back, Hoyer left things ambigous:
Hoyer says "it's unclear" on Rizzo's availability for Opening Day. Losing valuable Summer Camp at-bats and Cubs don't want to rush anything with 2 months of season looming.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 16, 2020
Rizzo, himself, said much of the same – he wants to be there for Opening Day, but if he needs a little more time, so be it.
The Cubs signed another catcher last night, back-up-back-up Jose Lobaton, and Hoyer explained:
Hoyer: Addition of Lobaton helps C depth, especially with taxi squad rules dictating that a catcher be included. Even if Cubs carrry 3 catchers, still must have a C in 3-man taxi group on road.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 16, 2020
Like I said last night, my best guess is that as it becomes more and more clear that Josh Phegley is going to make the Opening Day roster, the Cubs will need a different catcher on the three-man taxi squad. If that isn’t going to be a youngster like P.J. Higgins or Miguel Amaya, then the Cubs had to sign someone.
Some love for the Cubs’ Opening Day starter:
Jed Hoyer said of Kyle Hendricks: "I love the fact that he does something at the highest level and does it differently than other people in the game."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) July 16, 2020
Jed Hoyer on the trade that brought Hendricks to the Cubs: "We had really good information on his makeup, his competitiveness."
In the years since then, Hoyer said, Hendricks made them look good.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) July 16, 2020
