THE BASICS
Home stadium: Sloan Park, 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, AZ 85201
Directions: From the west: Take Arizona 202 loop east to Exit 10 (Dobson Road). Proceed a half-mile to the parking lot entrances on the right-hand side. Information: 480-668-0500; Cubs.com/spring
Prospect to watch: Nico Hoerner,
SS. Hoerner skipped Class AAA en route to his big-league debut in 2019. He makes plus contact with quick hands but doesn’t produce a ton of raw power. Just 22, Hoerner is a plus runner with burst but could move to second base because of his arm. He has a shot to start 2020 on the opening-day roster but is more likely to begin in AAA.
How much longer will Kris Bryant be a Cub?
GREGORY BULL/AP
The Boston Red Sox waited until the days before spring training began to trade Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers. And with Bryant losing his grievance against MLB this offseason, meaning he will have to wait until after the 2021 season to become a free agent, the Cubs will face a decision on whether they want to trade the star third baseman and 2016 NL MVP.
Bryant has resisted the team’s attempts at a long-term contract, though he has stressed he enjoys playing for the Cubs and in Chicago.
If the team trades him, determining when to do so will be key. With two years left on his deal, each passing day diminishes the value of the return the Cubs could receive. Plus, they may not deal him at all. That won’t stop the questions from being asked, presenting a cloud hanging over the team in camp. straight postseason appearances, early in 2020 like it did last year, it could move up Epstein’s timeline.
The team is not in a position to add to its payroll, and Epstein may have to move pieces. He has said that no one on the team is untouchable.
– Chris Bumbaca