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The Angels and Mike Trout agreed to a 10-year contract extension worth $360 million on Tuesday. The new deal will kick in after the next two seasons, in which Trout will make a combined $66.5 million. So, between Trout’s and Nolan Arenado’s contract extensions, the Cubs have a pretty good idea of what it’ll take to keep Kris Bryant around and he’s made it clear that he wants to be with them for his entire career.
Bryant adds it’s a dream of every teammate to spend entire career with Cubs, “myself included.”
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 19, 2019
Bryant is entering his fifth year with the Cubs and is already one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. Even after a down 2018 season because of a shoulder injury, Bryant is expected to bounce back and return to his MVP form. There have been reported rumors in the past about the Cubs approaching Bryant and his agent Scott Boras about a possible contract extension, but obviously nothing has progressed.
Those talks seem to have occurred back in 2017, but there haven’t been any discussions about an extension since.
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Bryant said there has been no extension talk with him this spring, and he hasn’t heard about any with any other Cubs players… pic.twitter.com/sn1UXx7ntA
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 19, 2019
After agreeing to a $26 million salary for his final arbitration year with the Rockies, Arenado signed a seven-year extension worth $234 million. That’s probably the range of what it’ll take to sign Bryant long term before he hits free agency following the 2021 season.
So yeah, pay the man, Tom.
Here are some other updates from spring training. Only nine days away from Opening Day!
The Cubs didn’t have a spring training game on Monday, but Jon Lester still pitched in a minor league game. He built up his pitch count close to 90 pitches and said he feels better than he has at this point of the season compared to the past couple years.
Lester builds pitch count in Minors game, plus updates on Morrow and Strop: https://t.co/22j9OlALTU via @MLB pic.twitter.com/pxEztRnJLC
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 19, 2019
Lester will be the Opening Day starter for the Cubs against the Rangers on March 28 in Texas.
Joe Maddon still hasn’t announced the rotation order after Lester. Yet, if you go off of spring training, it’ll most likely go, Lester, Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels to start the regular season.
No announcement on pitching next week after Jon Lester but it is getting late to make changes so best guess is Darvish then Hamels face their old team.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 19, 2019
Some quick injury updates.
Injury notes today…
• Willson Contreras (right hand) back in the lineup
• Barnette (right shoulder) bullpen possibly by end of this week
• Strop (right hamstring) said he's throwing off mound today
• Morrow (right elbow) feels great day after his mound session— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 19, 2019
Taking grounders at third right now. Supposed to resume light swinging today. https://t.co/0fIEIWOnLv
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 19, 2019
Brandon Morrow threw off a mound for the first time this spring training on Monday. Felt great and so far he hasn’t had any setbacks after elbow surgery in November.
Forgot to mention on radio, Brandon Morrow doing well after his bullpen session yesterday. He guesstimates 6 bullpens, some simulated action and then a rehab assignment.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 19, 2019
The most encouraging injury update was on Pedro Strop, who feels pretty good after being shut down for a week because of a mild hamstring strain. The Cubs want him to pitch in game, possibly a minor league game, before Opening Day.
And finally, here’s some more Nico Hoerner video.
Nico Hoerner. Open face. Batting practice with Tennessee squad. 3/19. 1st and 4th swings in this video were home runs. pic.twitter.com/mVTR0zADI0
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) March 19, 2019
