The Cubs play their first spring training game of the year tomorrow! It continues to rain in Arizona, but the forecast for Saturday’s Cactus League opener looks good, as the Cubs will host the Brewers in Mesa at Sloan Park. Anyway, here are your latest updates from Cubs spring training.
First, Javier Baez is officially off the market! The star infielder for the Cubs shared a wedding photo on social media Friday. He proposed to his longtime girlfriend Irmarie Marquez in April 2018. The wedding took place on Jan. 26.
Mr. & Mrs. Báez ♥️ Un día mágico ✨ 01•26•19 –
Mr. and Mrs. Báez ♥️ A magical Day ✨ 01•26•19 pic.twitter.com/pEPdGXegbF— Javier Báez (@javy23baez) February 22, 2019
Hmm, wonder if they also celebrated the anniversary of the Bears winning Super Bowl 20? Anyway, congrats!
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There were some nervous Cubs fans earlier in the week wondering about Ben Zobrist. He was excused because of a personal reason, but he finally arrived to Cubs camp on Friday.
Ben Zobrist is back and excited to join the #Cubs in Mesa! pic.twitter.com/vznZD8xHly
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 22, 2019
Zobrist, 37, is in the final year of his contract with the Cubs and was the subject of some trade speculation this offseason. He is back and assured everyone that everything is OK, but it also seems like Zobrist might retire after the 2019 season.
If it is his last year, Zobrist wants to be as good of a leader as he can be.
Zobrist also talked a lot about leadership and how he intends to step up more as a vocal leader in Cubs clubhouse. He won't be an "in-your-face" kinda guy but felt the desire to lead more both from internal drive and at the nudge of Maddon/Theo.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2019
Zobrist how being more vocal as a leader in final year of contract with Cubs:
"For me, not knowing what my future is next year, I definitely want to take my full responsibility and give whatever I can to the guys and give to this group so we can get back to where we want to be."
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2019
And it turns out the Cubs made it a point in the offseason to really focus on the leadership coming inside the clubhouse.
Don't know for sure who was a part of this meeting, but given how much leadership has been a topic of discussion in Cubs camp so far, seems fair to assume Zobrist was joined by Lester, Hamels, Strop and maybe Heyward, Rizzo or Javy, too.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2019
Other than Zobrist arriving in Mesa, the other bit of news on Friday was the announcement of a bunch of coaching changes in the minors for the Cubs.
AA Tennessee mgr: Jimmy Gonzalez
A+ Myrtle Beach mgr: Steven Lerud
A (short) Eugene mgr: Lance Rymel
Mesa (rookie) mgr: Ricardo MedinaMyrtle Beach hitting coach: Ty Wright
Eugene hitting coach: Michael Carter— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 22, 2019
Why all those changes at once? Well, Mark Johnson was promoted to Tim Cossins position and he left the Cubs this offseason to join Brandon Hyde’s coaching staff with the Orioles after Hyde was hired as Baltimore’s new manager.
With Tim Cossins on Brandon Hyde's staff in BAL, Cubs promote Mark Johnson to minor-league catching coordinator (MJ was previously Double-A Tennessee manager.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2019
And last but not least, the Cubs are still saying they’re sticking with Victor Caratini as the backup catcher…
The Cubs are heading into another year with Victor Caratini pegged as the backup catcher, but the 25-year-old believes he's much better suited for the role now.https://t.co/mauio5Vl8s
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 22, 2019
…even though they should be trying really hard to sign Martin Maldonado because he’d be a huge upgrade and cost basically nothing!
Martín Maldonado Is Begging To Get Signed *cough* CUBS *cough*
Almost forgot, there’s a new top-30 Cubs prospects list!
