Maddon trying to build rapport with Chapman
Cubs manager Joe Maddon expressed sympathy for Aroldis Chapman after the rough public start to his relationship with Chicago, suggesting the immediate barrage of media questions and scrutiny about the pitcher’s domesticviolence suspension set an acrimonious tone.
“I know there’s been some reticence and pushback regarding him to this point,” Maddon said, referring to Chapman’s initial refusal to talk to media after his powerful Cubs debut Wednesday. “However, understand where he’s coming from. We don’t know him, he doesn’t know us and he really doesn’t even know the language.”
Chapman has used coach Henry Blanco and teammate Miguel Montero as translators his first two days with the team, but the Cubs might be adding a new, more professional translator soon, Maddon said.
“From my perspective, what I’m trying to do right now is build a relationship with this guy, so he starts trusting me,” Maddon said. “I believe once that occurs, then I’m really going to be able to understand what he’s about and what he’s thinking.
“To put myself in his shoes, coming into a new venue, new city, new everything, and it’s a pretty heavy moment, to immediately be scrutinized as he was, I can almost understand why it’s been difficult for him.
“I’m looking forward to these next couple of days [to start building a relationship].”
Chapman was acquired Monday from the Yankees in a four-for-one trade that included the Cubs’ top prospect (Class A shortstop Gleyber Torres).
Cubs, Sox and piranhas
Cubs reliever Joe Nathan has seen just enough of the Crosstown Showdown this week to know the difference between that rivalry and the bitter division rivalry between the Sox and his Twins a decade ago.
“There’s definitely a different type of intensity in the crowd,” he said. “As far as on the field, that intensity didn’t change at all.”
The Twins, called “piranhas” by former Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, beat the Sox for American League Central titles six times in a nine-year span from 2002 to 2010.
Given what’s at stake with division games, “those were huge,” Nathan said, adding he senses a similar urgency this week just because of the Cubs’ standing and expectations.
“It raises the stakes on the importance of the W’s,” he said. “Every game’s huge.”
Javy time
Javy Baez started at second base for the eighth time in 11 games Thursday, including the fourth straight. But Maddon said there’s nothing to read into.
“It’s just out of necessity right now,” said Maddon, who likes Baez in the lineup against left-handers, handpicked matchups against righties and as an alternative bat when resting Willson Contreras (Tuesday and Wednesday).
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