What’s up, docket?
Eight things to watch for on the Cubs’ 2020 calendar, including a decision on Bryant
The windows of Maddon’s Post were covered New Year’s Day after the sudden closing of Joe Maddon’s ill-fated restaurant while a new cannabis dispensary was opening a couple of blocks north of Wrigley Field. Out with the old and in with the new?
Wrigleyville continues to evolve, for better or worse, as we enter the new decade, even as the Cubs threaten to put things in reverse after a disappointing end to the Maddon era. As we await team President Theo Epstein’s long-rumored reckoning from the 2019 season, here’s what’s on the Cubs’ calendar for the next three months.
1. A Bryant decision
The Cubs expect an arbitrator’s decision soon on the grievance the players union filed over the alleged manipulation of Kris Bryant’s service time in 2015.
The decision has contributed to the holdup on a potential trade of Bryant, who could be declared a free agent after the 2020 season if the union wins. But that’s a long shot, most in baseball believe. Obviously, Bryant would be worth more to interested teams with two years of team control instead of one and thus command a bigger return for the Cubs.
The free agency of third baseman Josh Donaldson — and rumors of the availability of Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado — will factor into whether Bryant gets moved. The Cubs also could wait until the July trade deadline, though they seem intent on getting under the $208 million luxury-tax threshold, and Bryant is expected to get around $18 million in arbitration for 2020.
2. Arbitration hearings
Bryant and Javier Baez are the two biggest and most expensive names on the Cubs’ arbitration list while Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras are also big-ticket items. Albert Almora Jr., Kyle Ryan and newly acquired pitcher Jharel Cotton also are eligible.
Hearings are held Feb. 3-21 in Phoenix, but most players come to an agreement before that stage.
3. Cubs Convention
The team’s annual fan fest begins a new era Jan. 17 with manager David Ross taking center stage for the first time.
As a former Cubs player, Ross is well aware that what happens at a Cubs Convention doesn’t necessarily stay at a Cubs Convention, which Kris Bryant discovered last year when he called St. Louis “boring” during a talk-show panel with Ryan Dempster. Bryant was reminded of the remark throughout the season, and his teammates jokingly piled on in St. Louis by joining Cardinals fans in booing. If Bryant is still a Cub and is in attendance with his fate still twisting in the wind, he figures to be a focal point of the convention again.
There’s no word yet on whether the Rickettses will have their own seminar after blowing it off last year during the Addison Russell controversy. Chairman Tom Ricketts claimed no one wanted to hear the owners’ thoughts.
“We had a low-rated panel,” he said. “It got kind of dull over the years because the questions were the same. If people want us to come back next year, fill out the forms and we’ll be happy to do it next year.”
Did you remember to fill out your form?
4. Marquee Sports Network
The new team-owned network is expected to begin broadcasting in February, with a programming schedule and its on-air employees — aside from Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies — yet to be announced.
How different it will be from the broadcasts fans are accustomed to watching is unknown. And whether the rest of the programming consists of a sunny, teamapproved outlook, as the Bears do with their shows, bears watching. The network also plans to air all Cactus League games.
5. Camp opens
Pitchers and catchers report for most teams on Feb. 11-12, though the Cubs have not announced an official date. It will be earlier than usual, thanks to the earliest opening day ever on March 26, ensuring cold, rainy spring games for most teams in the Midwest and East.
Ross expects to bring some new, teamoriented workout routines while keeping some of the things he thought worked from Maddon’s camps.
“I hope it’s a shock for the players,” Ross said. “I’m kind of relying on that. I want to be different. As much as Joe brought to the table and all that I respect that he’s done, I will keep a lot of the music on. I like the vibe that he created. There will be a little bit more structure. I want some guys working together, not guys on their own plan.”
6. Cactus League opener
Ten years ago the Cubs were trying to wrangle a $1 surcharge on all Cactus League tickets to help fund a new $84 million stadium, insisting they helped every other team draw in spring training with their huge fan base.
The rest of the team owners, led by White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, managed to get that crazy idea shot down. But the Cubs eventually got their stadium, and Sloan Park has been the biggest attraction in spring training annually since its opening in 2014.
The Cubs open their 2020 Cactus League schedule on Feb. 22 at Sloan Park, taking on the A’s, who moved into the Cubs old haunt, HoHoKam Park.
7. A Maddon reunion
Maddon’s Angels meet the Cubs twice this spring, including March 2 at Sloan Park.
The Cubs will save a space in the parking lot for “Cousin Eddie,” Maddon’s famous RV, and it should be the highlight of the home schedule in Arizona.
It also will mark the return of former strength and conditioning coach Tim Buss, who served as co-conspirator with Maddon during many wacky spring training moments, including the day they dressed as hippies and drove an old Chevy van onto the field.
8. Opening day
Nothing can completely erase the stench of the 2019 ending, but a new season brings new things to worry about.
Will all of Epstein’s changes work? Has the golden era peaked? Is Craig Kimbrel OK? It all begins March 26 in Milwaukee under a retractable roof, thankfully.
While Ross won’t name his opening-day starter for a while, it’s hard to argue against Yu Darvish after a strong second half bolstered his status as Cubs ace. That could set up the first Darvish-Christian Yelich matchup since Yelich dissed the Cubs starter on Twitter in November during a beef over an apparent sign-stealing episode from last year.
Your move, Yu.
Joe Maddon speaks to the media Oct. 24 after being hired as the Angels’ manager.