Bryzzo At The Top, Báez's Thumb And More Cubs Notes

I don’t know if David Ross is going to be a great manager or not, but he’s already making good decisions even if they seem easy from an outside perspective. The Cubs don’t have a traditional fit on the roster to be the leadoff man, so Kris Bryant stepped up and told his new manager that he could do the job.

Ross agreed and not only is Bryant going to be the Cubs’ leadoff hitter in 2020, but Anthony Rizzo will move to the second spot in the lineup. Why? It’s not that complicated.

some Cardinals fans didn't get that this was a joke about Joe Maddon, but guess what, David Ross is actually putting his best hitters at the top of the lineup! https://t.co/sPyU0Ic1dS
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) February 19, 2020

Ross wouldn't go into details on the lineup after Bryant, but did say KB and Rizzo is "a nice one-two punch."

If that's the case and R-L-R-etc is a goal, looks like Bryant-Rizzo-Baez-Schwarber-Contreras for Nos. 1-5 slots is as solid a prediction as any.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

Ross said Bryant and Rizzo a good 1-2 punch. So it looks like #Bryzzo is the new Daily Double.
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) February 19, 2020

Willson’s getting chills and so am I.

Contreras on Bryant-Rizzo as 1-2 in lineup:
"It gives me chills. It gives me chills for sure, thinking of KB hitting a double and Rizzo getting an RBI early in the [inning], might hit a double or a single or might draw a walk. And then [Baez/Schwarber/Contreras in RBI spots]."
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 20, 2020

Bryzzo’s all-in on the new look.

Rizzo, on batting 2nd: "On the back of your (baseball) card, it’s not going to say, ‘oh, he was leading off that year. That’s why he didn’t drive in 100 runs.’ RBIs are something I pride myself on, but it’s about the team and winning. Winning cures everything that’s going on. ..
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 20, 2020

Bryant on leadoff spot, 2/2:
"I think we have so much turnover, just trying certain guys out, you don’t get that consistency. If I need to be the guy that’s up there that's going to be consistent and get on base, I’ll be that guy." https://t.co/bbVDnYUSei
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 19, 2020

If only Joe Maddon made a similar decision during the past few seasons.

How to address the lead-off spot:

Joe Maddon:

Almora for 15 games (27 wRC+)
Descalso for 12 games (62 wRC+)
Heyward for 47 games (47 wRC+)

David Ross, literally his 2nd day on the job:

Guys…this isn't hard. I'm just putting our best hitter there.
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) February 19, 2020

Meanwhile, Javier Báez’s thumb is 100%. He missed most of September after injuring it on a slide to second base.

Ross, asked if there's any lingering issue w/ Javy Baez's thumb:

"He's told me no. I've asked him that. I asked him that a while back with the training in the offseason, and I haven't heard anything from our training staff on that subject. So as far as I know, he's 100 percent."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 20, 2020

Alec Mills, Tyler Chatwood and Adbert Alzolay will get the first three starts for the Cubs in spring training action, beginning on Saturday.

Alec Mills, Tyler Chatwood and Adbert Alzolay will start the first three Cubs spring games.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 20, 2020

That trio is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, though at this point it’s Chatwood’s job to lose.

But that’s not the only position battle in Cubs camp.

Snippets from Ross after post-workout: Happ working mostly in CF, Bote will get work at 3B but got shot at 2B, Hernan Perez lost 10-15 pounds, in backup SS mix. Ross hasn't ruled out carrying 3rd catcher (Phegley) on roster.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 20, 2020

Asked about his MLB backup shortstop options, Cubs manager David Ross named Nico Hoerner and Hernan Perez as the depth for that spot.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 20, 2020

Oh and let’s continue to laugh at the shit show that are the Astros.

One MLB executive says he “not shocked” at how poorly #Astros have handled current crisis. Jim Crane was warned about coming storm, urged to gather his players to prepare for industry reaction, media questions. Crane passed on the idea. Said, “it’ll blow over by spring training."
— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) February 20, 2020