December 6, 2016

CSNChicago.com, Kenley Jansen? Wade Davis? Cubs Keeping An Open Mind For The Ninth Inning http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/kenley-jansen-wade-davis-cubs-keeping-open-mind-ninth-inning

CSNChicago.com, Cubs: The Next Steps For Kyle Schwarber http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-next-steps-kyle-schwarber

CSNChicago.com, Cubs Cashing In Big Time With Ticket Prices After World Series Win http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-cashing-big-time-ticket-prices-after-world-series-win

Chicago Tribune, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts expected to attend tonight's Awards Gala http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-tom-ricketts-ceremony-20161206-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs working to arrange White House visit before Obama leaves office http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-white-house-obama-spt-1206-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Royals closer Wade Davis among possibilities as Cubs seek bullpen help http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-wade-davis-cubs-winter-meetings-spt-1206-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs raise season ticket prices 19.5 percent http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-ticket-prices-spt-1206-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs rule out winter ball for Kyle Schwarber, unsure about catching http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/ct-kyle-schwarber-catcher-cubs-sox-bits-spt-1206-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Hector Rondon sought by Team Venezuela for WBC http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-hector-rondon-wbc-venezuela-20161206-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs hold cautious history with injured pitchers http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-hold-cautious-history-with-injured-pitchers-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs GM Jed Hoyer envisions Joe Maddon-Miguel Montero peace summit http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-miguel-montero-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Lucky Strike bowling alley, music venue headed to Wrigleyville development http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-wrigleyville-lucky-strike-1207-biz-20161205-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Moises Alou endorses Cubs' hopes to honor Steve Bartman http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-moises-alou-cubs-steve-bartman-20161205-story.html

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs cast wide net for pitching but don’t expect to land big one http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-cast-wide-net-for-pitching-but-unlikely-to-land-big-one/

Chicago Sun-Times, Alou wants to help Cubs ease Bartman’s pain http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/alou-wants-to-help-cubs-ease-bartmans-pain/

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs hike ticket prices nearly 20 percent after World Series run http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-hike-ticket-prices-nearly-20-percent-after-world-series-run/

Daily Herald, Cubs season ticket holders, brace for 6% to 31% price hike http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161205/business/161209433/

Daily Herald, Imrem: Cubs raise prices. Also, water is wet http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161205/sports/161209389/

Cubs.com, Cubs looking to bolster back end of bullpen http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/210346488/cubs-looking-to-bolster-back-end-of-bullpen/

Cubs.com, Schwarber to skip winter ball, continue rehab http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/210339918/cubs-kyle-schwarber-to-skip-winter-ball/

Cubs.com, Cubs announce ticket price increase for 2017 http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/210307368/cubs-ticket-prices-to-rise-for-2017-season/

Cubs.com, 'Play Ball' charity auction features Cubs items http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/210294166/cubs-items-featured-in-play-ball-auction/

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs continue offseason under the radar looking for pitching depth http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/43047/cubs-continue-winter-under-the-radar-looking-for-pitching-depth

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs capitalize on demand, raise prices on season-ticket plans http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18211634/chicago-cubs-raise-prices-season-ticket-plans

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs still 'exploring' White House visit with President Obama http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/43037/cubs-still-exploring-white-house-visit-with-obama

-- CSNChicago.com Kenley Jansen? Wade Davis? Cubs Keeping An Open Mind For The Ninth Inning By Patrick Mooney NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The San Francisco Giants had been three outs away from forcing an elimination game that Johnny Cueto would have started at Wrigley Field – and five different relievers couldn’t protect a three-run lead against a Cubs team that made a stunning comeback. That October crash reverberated throughout the winter meetings as a $10 billion industry gathered outside Washington, D.C. The Giants bought peace of mind for the ninth inning on Monday and finalized a four-year, $62 million deal with Mark Melancon. For the moment, that will be the biggest contract ever for a closer, at least until Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman shatter that record. The Cubs have been in contact with Jansen’s camp, sources said, monitoring his market to see if there might be a match as the World Series champs try to upgrade the bullpen this week at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Theo Epstein’s front office doesn’t necessarily have a singular focus – believe the reports linking the Cubs to Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis – or the appetite to win a Jansen bidding war that will include the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins and perhaps the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals. But after telling everyone that they did two offseasons in one last winter – and spending almost $290 million on free agents – this is where the Cubs could make a splash. “It’s safe to say we’re kicking the tires on any pitching that’s available,” general manager Jed Hoyer said during his briefing with the Chicago media. “We’re not spending a lot of time on bats. We’re spending a lot of times on arms. Anyone that’s available, we’re going to sort of be in on and talking about.” Cubs manager Joe Maddon watched Jansen’s cutter up close and gave this endorsement during the National League Championship Series: “He’s like a 100-pound heavier version of Mariano Rivera.” Jansen, a homegrown Dodger, converted from catcher and developed into an elite closer, saving 189 games while putting up a 2.20 career ERA and 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Jansen just turned 29 and already showed a willingness to pitch outside the ninth inning and go for more than three outs, something that didn’t come easily for Chapman in an October where former Yankee teammate Andrew Miller became an American League Championship Series MVP for the Cleveland Indians. “The postseason was reliever-centric,” Hoyer said. “Bullpens have always been really valuable, but I think the way they were used and talked about – really, not even this postseason, but the last two or three postseasons – people are definitely putting a lot of financial importance on having a good bullpen.” Kansas City’s blueprint for winning back-to-back pennants and the 2015 World Series featured Davis, who posted a 0.94 ERA during that championship season. But Davis dealt with a strained right forearm this year and will make $10 million in his final season before free agency, at a time when the Royals can begin to see their window to contend closing. The Cubs haven’t made Chapman a priority – and Epstein’s group has been philosophically opposed to the idea of investing big money in a closer – but they also know they probably don’t get that parade down Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue without that blockbuster deal with the Yankees. “We see the value of it,” Hoyer said. “Look, we traded a great young prospect in Gleyber Torres to get Chapman, because we felt like that was an area that we were a little bit short. We felt like in order to win the World Series, we had to have that kind of guy at the end of the game. It proved to be right. “In order to get those really difficult final outs in the postseason, having an elite guy is certainly a huge advantage.” So if the White Sox become the Chicago team that makes most of the headlines here – and in-house options like Hector Rondon, Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop disappoint – the Cubs can always reassess at the trade deadline. “We’ll bolster our bullpen,” Hoyer said. “Whether you do that by adding just a number of good relievers – or whether we do it by adding a guy that’s sort of a known closer – I’m not sure. But we’ll definitely add to our bullpen.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs: The Next Steps For Kyle Schwarber By Patrick Mooney NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – Kyle Schwarber might have been the most dangerous hitter in a World Series lineup that featured the National League MVP plus four more All-Stars. After spending more than six months recovering from major knee surgery. Against Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and a dominant Cleveland Indians bullpen.

“He’s not going to play winter ball,” Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said with a perfect deadpan delivery. “We felt like he proved he can hit major-league pitching.” The Cubs spent Monday at the winter meetings inside the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, continuing their search for pitching on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. The Cubs are so stacked with hitters that manager Joe Maddon could write out a 2017 Opening Day lineup tomorrow and Theo Epstein’s front office would still have Jorge Soler left over as trade bait. Schwarber could hit second for the defending World Series champs, and his presence would mean more than any player the Cubs could sign as a free agent. The Cubs expect him to be at full strength by spring training, though it’s unclear how much work, if any, he’ll get as a catcher. “That’s the hurdle we haven’t really gone over yet,” Hoyer said. “Can he do it? There’s no question he’s going to want to do it. I think he can do it. I think that we have to have discussions about how heavy a workload we put on him in that regard. “One of the things we talked about even last year before he got hurt was (how) he’s doing full catching drills, running around the outfield, doing stuff hitting. That’s a lot to put on a guy, sort of like playing two ways in football.” Schwarber, an all-Ohio linebacker in high school, has a run-through-a-brick-wall mentality and doesn’t like to hear about what he can’t do. He wrecked his left knee in an outfield collision in early April and needed a procedure that reconstructed his ACL and repaired his LCL. It took only two warm-up games in the Arizona Fall League before Schwarber made his dramatic return as the designated hitter at Progressive Field, batting .412 (7-for-17) with a .971 OPS during the World Series. The Cubs appear to be set with Willson Contreras and Miguel Montero behind the plate, but Schwarber is the type of baseball gym rat who enjoys breaking down video, giving input for scouting reports and being involved in every pitch. “We have to talk through all that stuff,” Hoyer said. “We know what his position’s going to be, so we have to figure out what our position’s going to be. I know he’s going to want to catch. “But he knows he’s coming in as a left fielder next year. And we have to decide how much of the catching drills (he does).” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs Cashing In Big Time With Ticket Prices After World Series Win By Tony Andracki The Cubs didn't wait long to cash in on their first championship in over a century. As the MLB winter meetings heat up in Maryland, the Cubs are raising ticket prices across the board. Danny Ecker of Crain's Chicago Business reports the Cubs sent renewal invoices to season ticket holders Monday with an average price increase of 19.5 percent. Meanwhile, club box infield tickets are increasing by 31 percent, bleacher seats up over 22 percent and other spots raising from 11 to 17 percent. The lowest increase is 6 percent for upper deck tickets. The average price of a season ticket for the Cubs is $58 per game now at Wrigley Field, which is 31 percent more than the same figure from three years ago, Ecker reports.

Just from season tickets alone, Ecker states the Cubs could be looking at an extra $20 million in revenue in 2017 compared to 2016. Add in the more than 200 seats in the "Bullpen Box" down each foul line where the bullpens used to be on the field (each seat starts at $16,000 for the full season), and the Cubs are going to see a major increase in ticket sales coming off a year in which they led MLB with 103 wins, won the National League pennant and then finished it off by hosting three World Series games at Wrigley Field in late October before winning it all on the road. And hey, why not? Wrigleyville is guaranteed to be poppin' every night next summer regardless of ticket prices. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts expected to attend tonight's Awards Gala By Mark Gonzales With the exception of Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, it's very rare to see a top executive attend the annual Winter Meetings. But Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts is expected to arrive Tuesday night to attend Baseball America's Awards Gala. The Cubs will be honored as the Organization of the Year, with the Cubs expected to receive an award nearly as large as their World Series trophy. Last December's ceremony started shortly before it was revealed that the Cubs signed free-agent Ben Zobrist and traded Starlin Castro to the Yankees. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs working to arrange White House visit before Obama leaves office By Paul Sullivan The Cubs have about seven weeks to accept President Barack Obama's offer to visit the White House before he turns over the keys to Donald Trump, and they concede it will be difficult to get everyone together. While it's not the most pressing issue in Washington during the transition, a source with knowledge of the invitation said Obama's office is working with the team to get the visit scheduled. But the Cubs said it will be a challenge to meet the deadline. "Obviously the challenging part is with an outgoing president, and now that we're in the offseason, it makes it extremely challenging to coordinate with the players being on vacation," Cubs spokesman Julian Green said Monday. "It's been difficult to do." Obama, a self-described White Sox fan, invited manager Joe Maddon during a congratulatory phone call Nov. 3, the day after the team's Game 7 World Series win over the Indians. He followed up with a tweet asking: "Want to come to the White House before I leave?" First lady Michelle Obama also tweeted that she has been a Cubs fan "since I was a kid" and that she was "incredibly proud" of the Cubs.

But since the invitation, Trump has nominated Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts as his deputy commerce secretary, so the Cubs could wait until Trump becomes president so he can fete the team himself. Green said that it's a "time-honored tradition" to meet the president and that Ricketts' nomination to the post doesn't factor into the team's decision. "Regardless of who is in the White House or who may be working for the administration, certainly this has been something that would be viewed as an honor," Green said. "It's just a difficult exercise in scheduling. "President Obama made the invitation, and we're honored to receive the invitation. Ordinarily, you would look at whenever the team is playing (in Washington) the following season, so you'd have more than enough time to coordinate." If the Cubs wait to visit during the 2017 season, a natural time would be June 26-29, when they travel to Washington for a four-game series against the Nationals. If the Cubs visit before Inauguration Day, they would be the last championship team Obama honored in his eight years in office. "Because of the respect the organization has for the White House and for the president, it's something you'd like to see if we can make it happen," said Green, former press secretary for then-U.S. Sen. Obama. Green added there is no firm deadline for finalizing the decision. But with the holidays coming up, getting everyone together before the end of the year would be difficult. Some January dates are out as well: Kris Bryant is getting married Jan. 7, and some players will be attending the wedding. The Cubs Convention is Jan. 13-15, which Green pointed out is less than a week before the inauguration. A winter trip to the White House, however, is not unprecedented. After the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, they visited with President George W. Bush on Feb. 13, 2006, just before spring training. Manager Ozzie Guillen declined to blow off a scheduled vacation, which Bush said he fully understood. "If he's a Caribbean guy, taking a look at the weather forecast up here yesterday would have made me not want to come as well," Bush cracked. After some early acrimony between the Ricketts family and Trump, Todd Ricketts, along with his brother Pete, the governor of Nebraska, and their parents, Joe and Marlene Ricketts, supported Trump during the general election. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts recently told USA Today he is "more in the middle, but more on the right than the left." During spring training, when Marlene Ricketts donated $3 million to an anti-Trump campaign, Trump tweeted that the Rickettses "better be careful, they have a lot to hide." That prompted Tom Ricketts to respond with a grin: "It's a little surreal when Donald Trump threatens your mom." On the other side of the political coin, Laura Ricketts, one of four siblings on the board, was a prominent backer of Hillary Clinton and is involved in the Democratic Party. Cubs Vice President Mike Lufrano was formerly a special assistant to President Bill Clinton, while Cubs President Theo Epstein also donated to Clinton and attended a fundraiser for her in Chicago. White House visits are mostly photo-ops for the president, and attendance by players usually isn't mandatory. Perhaps the most controversial visit to the White House from a Chicago champ was in 1991, when the Bulls were honored by President George H.W. Bush after their first title. Guard Craig Hodges delivered a two-page letter to Bush urging his administration to show more concern for African-Americans, while Michael Jordan snubbed the visit altogether and had to fend off criticism for disrespecting Bush.

Jordan later testified in the drug and money-laundering trial of James "Slim" Bouler that he lost $57,000 to Bouler on golf, poker and other gambling during the weekend the Bulls visited the White House. Obama, a big Bulls fan, honored the Cavaliers last month on the same day he met with Trump after the election. Because Obama is from Chicago, he wants to be the one to honor his hometown Cubs. He has hosted three Blackhawks championship teams during his presidency. -- Chicago Tribune Royals closer Wade Davis among possibilities as Cubs seek bullpen help By Mark Gonzales General manager Jed Hoyer said he was surprised the 2016 Cubs wound up relying more on starting pitching and defense than on hitting. But adding offense is the least of the concerns for Hoyer, who reiterated Monday that the main offseason thrust remains pitching. "It's safe to say we're kicking the tires on any pitching that's available," Hoyer said during a media session at the winter meetings. "We're not spending a lot of time on bats. We're spending a lot of time on arms. Anyone that's available, we'll be talking about." The Cubs might pay more attention to trade possibilities to address the closer role. Aroldis Chapman told ESPN he's seeking a six-year contract, and Mark Melancon is off the market after agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with the Giants. The most intriguing candidate is the Royals' Wade Davis, who will earn $10 million in the final year of a seven-year contract. A source confirmed the Cubs "are on" Davis, 31, who posted a 1.87 ERA and didn't allow a home run in 45 appearances in 2016. Davis missed five weeks because of a right forearm strain but returned in September and posted a 2.79 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 92/3 innings. Davis pitched for Cubs manager Joe Maddon with the Rays from 2009 to 2012. The Cubs' in-house options are Hector Rondon, who never regained his form late in 2016 after being nagged by a right triceps strain, and Carl Edwards Jr., who was monitored closely in his first full major-league season. "I definitely think we'll bolster our bullpen," Hoyer said. "Whether we do that by adding a number of good relievers or whether we do it by adding a known closer, I'm not sure. But we'll definitely add to our bullpen." Rondon averaged 68 appearances in 2014 and '15 before being limited to 54 games in 2016. Pedro Strop pitched in 141 games in 2014-15 before a knee injury in mid-August limited him to 54 appearances. "We have a good core group," Hoyer said, "but we know that those guys have had two heavy seasons in a row, and we look to add as much depth as we can around it." Hoyer said the Cubs have done their due diligence by staying in contact with every high-profile free-agent closer, "but don't chase down every rumor." Free agent Kenley Jansen is an option, although he's expected to seek a lengthy deal. With the return from injury of Kyle Schwarber and the acquisition of Jon Jay, the Cubs have a glut of outfielders. One or more could be moved in exchange for pitching depth. Jorge Soler and Matt Szczur might be challenged to earn playing time.

"We do have a number of guys who rightfully want to get at-bats," Hoyer said. "I don't think we have to make a move, but we could do something that maybe gives us depth in a different area." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs raise season ticket prices 19.5 percent By Paul Sullivan After waiting a lifetime for a championship team, Cubs fans will discover the price of success. The average price of season tickets will rise 19.5 percent in 2017, the Cubs announced Monday, with increases ranging from 6 percent for upper-deck reserved seats to 31 percent for infield club box seats. The highest-priced premium seat is $409 for a dugout box for one of the three "diamond" games — the home opener and Saturday games against the Yankees and Cardinals — while the lowest is $8 for upper outfield reserved for one of nine "bronze" games, weekday games in April and early May. Colin Faulkner, senior vice president of sales and marketing, pointed to the "unprecedented demand" this year's championship season created. "Trying to capture that demand and continue the progress on the field, and (with) our mission to field a consistently competitive team, no surprise, we'll be increasing season ticket prices," Faulkner said. "Even with the 191/2 percent increase, it leaves a significant value for our season ticket holders." The Cubs said 2016 regular-season tickets resold on StubHub.com for an average of 96 percent above their face value. Postseason tickets went for 670 percent above face value, including a 1,206 percent increase for the three World Series games at Wrigley Field. After the Cubs' playoff run in 2015, the team said it increased prices by an average of 10 percent. Team Marketing Report, using its own calculations, had the Cubs with a 14.6 percent increase from 2015 to '16 to an average of $51.33, well over the major-league average of $31. The Cubs drew more than 3.2 million fans in 2016, fifth-highest in the majors at more than 39,900 per game. The Cubs' overall attendance increase of 313,000 was the second-highest jump in the majors behind the Blue Jays' increase of 597,000 fans. The Cubs ranked third in average ticket price, according to TMR, behind the Red Sox ($54.79) and Yankees ($51.55). Faulkner said he did not know where the Cubs expect to rank in 2017, citing different calculations from teams that don't factor in premium "club" seats. "Certainly we'll have a ticket price that may be relatively higher than some teams," he said. "But we really think that we're providing tremendous access and value to our season ticket holders." A premium dugout box ticket for 2017, including tax, will cost $29,089.76 — an average of $359 per game. The cheapest season ticket, for upper-deck outfield reserved, is $2,139.20 including tax, or $26 per game. After the 95-loss 2002 season, the Cubs introduced a three-tiered pricing system of "value," "regular" and "prime" days that increased prices from 20 to 25 percent for a quarter of their home games. Now there are bronze (nine games), silver (12), gold (24), platinum (14), marquee (19) and diamond (three) tiers. The three diamond games are the home opener April 10 against the Dodgers, May 6 against the Yankees and July 22 against the Cardinals.

The highest-priced non-premium seat, the club box infield, goes for $12,484.64 including tax ($154 per game) with a high of $189 for diamond games. Bleacher tickets range from $21 for bronze games to $79 for diamond games, plus tax, and will average $51 including tax. Bullpen box seats, priced as premium seating, will range from $111 to $239 for the second through fourth rows ($16,913.12 including tax for a season ticket) and from $118 to $289 for the front row ($19,882.24). The bullpens are moving underneath the bleachers in 2017, adding seats to the area. The American Airlines 1914 Club, under construction behind home plate, won't open until 2018. Significant ticket hikes aren't unusual for the Cubs when they believe demand is high. They increased prices by an average of 18 percent after the 1998 wild-card season, by 17 percent after the 2003 team lost in the National League Championship Series, by 17 percent after the 2004 team blew a late wild-card lead and by 17 percent after getting swept by the Dodgers in the 2007 division series. Cubs tickets have been among the highest-priced in baseball even when the team has struggled. In 2002, when they lost 95 games, the Cubs had an average ticket price of $24.05, according to TMR, ranking fourth. By 2006, when they lost 96 games, the Cubs had the second-highest average price at $34.30 behind the Red Sox's $47.71. Their ticket prices have remained among the highest since because of Wrigley's relatively small capacity and iconic status and fans' willingness to pay the price to get inside. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs rule out winter ball for Kyle Schwarber, unsure about catching By Mark Gonzales and Colleen Kane The Cubs decided it was better for Kyle Schwarber to continue rehabilitating his left knee than to play winter ball. What's less certain is whether he will split his time between catching and the outfield or become a permanent left fielder. "That's the hurdle we haven't gone over yet," said general manager Jed Hoyer, who expressed concern about Schwarber's workload before he tore ligaments April 7 and returned for designated hitter duties in the World Series. "We know he's going to want to catch, but he knows he's coming in as a left fielder next year. We have to decide how much of the catching drills we do." 2-H Club: Jason Heyward will be working soon with assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske in Arizona to rediscover the swing that produced a .293 average with the Cardinals in 2015 and 27 home runs with the Braves in 2012. "We're not reinventing him but sort of getting him back to some of the places he had his most success," Hoyer said. Hoyer said Hinske, with input from hitting coach John Mallee, would attempt to tweak Heyward's mechanics in an effort to generate more solid contact. Heyward batted .230 with seven home runs in 2016. World class: White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana (Colombia) and Cubs infielder Javier Baez (Puerto Rico) were among 30 players Major League Baseball confirmed will play in the 16-country World Baseball Classic in March. Sox GM Rick Hahn said he doesn't have any concerns about Quintana managing tournament play and spring training.

"When Colombia won the qualifier last spring, I saw Jose the next morning with a big smile on his face, and he told me he wasn't going to be here next March," Hahn said. "I know he takes a great deal of pride. It's great to see him getting the recognition and playing a role for his country." WBC play starts March 6 at four sites, with the championship round March 20-22 at Dodger Stadium. Contract decisions: Hahn explained his reasoning for tendering contracts last week to Brett Lawrie and outfielder/DH Avisail Garcia. Hahn said Lawrie will be in the mix at second base but added Lawrie's versatility allows him to move around, perhaps if the Sox find a buyer for third baseman Todd Frazier. "As this offseason unfolds, we'll see if there are other opportunities for him on the diamond," Hahn said. "We like the cost. We like the fit. We like the energy he brings, and we felt it was worth having him around." As for Garcia, Hahn framed his return as a last-chance scenario for a player who hasn't met expectations. "The kid works as hard as anybody and wants to be great," Hahn said. "But he knows also now he's gotten this opportunity with us potentially in 2017, and it's time to start fulfilling some of that promise." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Hector Rondon sought by Team Venezuela for WBC By Mark Gonzales Manager Omar Vizquel would like reliever Hector Rondon to pitch for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic this spring. "Hector Rondon is interested," Vizquel said Monday at a news conference promoting the 16-team WBC, which starts March 6 and runs through March 22. "He’s on our list, and we hope the Chicago Cubs will let him play." The Cubs and other major league teams have declined comment on whether their players should participate in the WBC for fear of facing penalties by Major League Baseball. Rondon missed nearly three weeks toward the end of the regular season because of a right triceps injury, and general manager Jed Hoyer acknowledged that Rondon failed to regain his effectiveness after returning from the injury. Part of that was due to the Cubs' early clinching of the National League Central title and Rondon not being used in high leverage situations. But Hoyer said there was "nothing lingering" regarding Rondon's arm. "I expect him to come back and throw as well as he did (before the triceps injury)," Hoyer said. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs hold cautious history with injured pitchers By Mark Gonzales The Cubs have been extremely careful about acquiring pitchers with a history of injuries. First, there’s the risk of a recurring injury and not getting a return on their investment. Second, there’s the challenge of finding a spot for a starting pitcher with an already-set rotation.

The scenario surfaced Monday as general manager Jed Hoyer was asked about any interest in pitchers recovering from injuries, such as recent free agent Tyson Ross. “We haven’t done that a lot here,” Hoyer said. “It really can have a benefit, but you have to think through how it’s going to fit into a team.” The Cubs’ rotation currently is set with left-hander Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey and Mike Montgomery. Toward the end of last August and early September, the Cubs briefly used a six-man rotation to give their starters a break and preserve some of their innings for the postseason. Ross, 29, is recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome, and his status for the start of the season is believed to be iffy. The Cubs are one of four teams interested in free agent left-hander Derek Holland, according to FanRag Sports. Holland, 30, has made only 35 starts over the past three seasons due to left knee and left shoulder injuries, and the Texas Rangers declined to pick up his $11 million option for 2017. “It’s a difficult challenge to think how that person impacts your depth and what you’re doing,” Hoyer said of finding a spot for rehabbing starters. “You can’t assign those guys without a spot.” However, there is a need for starting pitching depth. Hoyer admits the Cubs were fortunate last year to carry four relievers - Trevor Cahill, Adam Warren, Clayton Richard and Travis Wood - with the ability to start. But the endurance of the starters early in the season resulted in the shrinking of innings available to those four relievers. The Cubs inserted mid-season acquisition Mike Montgomery for five starts after John Lackey experienced shoulder stiffness in mid-August. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs GM Jed Hoyer envisions Joe Maddon-Miguel Montero peace summit By Mark Gonzales Any lingering bitterness that Cubs catcher Miguel Montero holds toward manager Joe Maddon should be quelled shortly. That was the view of general manager Jed Hoyer, one month after Montero was baffled about the lack of communication from Maddon regarding his playing time during the Cubs' run to the World Series. "I think he’ll sit down with Joe, and I don’t see that as a lasting thing," Hoyer said. "(Montero) and Willson (Contreras) are a good catching tandem, and they fit very nicely. Everyone handled having three catchers for a long time very well. That was a hard thing to pull off, having three guys like that on the roster. "I think one conversation, and that’s fine. I think those guys complement each other very well as a tandem." Montero told ESPN Chicago "I expected to be treated a little better,'' adding that he was frustrated by not being told his role. Hoyer confirmed that the Cubs will seek a minor league catcher with major league experience in the event of an injury to Montero, 33, or Contreras, 24, who is expected to handle the bulk of the catching duties in 2017. --

Chicago Tribune Lucky Strike bowling alley, music venue headed to Wrigleyville development By Lauren Zumbach Baseball, burgers and bowling? Developers behind a mixed-use development that's being built across the street from Wrigley Field are hoping Chicagoans will like the mix. Lucky Strike will open an upscale bowling alley in the Addison & Clark development, expected to be complete in mid-2018, said Bucksbaum Retail Properties CEO John Bucksbaum. Lucky Strike will have a 30,000-square-foot second-floor space along Addison Street. The development, a partnership between M&R Development and Bucksbaum Retail Properties, will have 148 apartment units and about 150,000 square feet of commercial space. Construction began in August. Upscale burger and custard chain Shake Shack and Mexico-based movie theater operator Cinemex have already signed on as tenants. Along with Lucky Strike, those businesses will fill about 64,000 square feet. Unlike Lucky Strike's existing Streeterville location, the Wrigleyville bowling alley also will focus on live music, Bucksbaum said. "They've had real success with the music in LA, and we wanted to bring that to Wrigley," he said. -- Chicago Tribune Moises Alou endorses Cubs' hopes to honor Steve Bartman By Mark Gonzales Moises Alou expected to answer questions about his role of general manager for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. But Alou couldn’t avoid questions about his involvement in the infamous Steve Bartman incident. “You see, we’re still talking about Bartman, and the Cubs won,” Alou chuckled Monday. For Alou, the Cubs’ winning the World Series for the first time since 1908 brought joy and some good thoughts toward Bartman, who was criticized for interfering with a foul ball that initially angered Alou in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series that the Marlins went on to win and eliminate the Cubs in Game 7. Alou seemed happy when he learned that Chairman Tom Ricketts hoped to invite Bartman to a game and perhaps throw the ceremonial first pitch. “I think that would be good,” Alou said. As for still believing he would make the catch had it not been for Bartman, “I always say I would. To me, I had the ball. (But) it don’t matter anymore.” Alou reiterated what he said after Game 6. “You know what? I had the ball,” Alou said. “I got upset at the same time. It’s not the kid’s fault.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs cast wide net for pitching but don’t expect to land big one By Gordon Wittenmyer

NATIONAL HARBER, Md. – The Cubs publicly cop to exactly two things when it comes to their efforts to upgrade their pitching staff – particularly their bullpen – during this week’s winter meetings: First: “It’s safe to say we’re kicking the tires on any pitching that’s available,” general manager Hoyer said as the meetings opened in the Washington, D.C., area Monday. And? “I don’t think we’re the Chicago team that’s going to be making headlines,” he said. That leaves a lot of ground in the middle. And that’s exactly where the team is expected fix its gaze on the market going forward this winter, barring Dodgers free agent closer Kenley Jansen suddenly deciding he wants to pitch in Chicago for less money and fewer years than the Yankees, Marlins or his own Dodgers offer. A source familiar with the team’s efforts said the Cubs are putting much of their efforts into “about 10 guys” on the winter pitching market that offer reliable track records but at far less the commitments of the high-profile Jansens and Aroldis Chapmans of the free agent world. Those include right-hander Brad Ziegler (1.85 and 2.25 ERAs last two seasons) and left-hander Jerry Blevins (a former Cubs farmhand with a 2.79 for the Mets in ’16), both of whom would command significantly shorter commitments. Hoyer reiterated Monday what he and team president Theo Epstein had said after last winter and heading into this offseason: that the club did most of its 2017 spending before the 2016 season, when it targeted a two-year window with one winter. “Listen, I think we’ve set expectations appropriately,” Hoyer said. “This offseason I don’t expect that same level of activity.” Look for the Cubs to seek starting pitching depth through trades in which they seek controllable young players who can open the season at AAA if necessary as the Cubs give lefty Mike Montgomery a bona fide shot at starting. And look for multiple bullpen additions (to go with the just signed lefty Brian Duensing) without necessarily a focus on acquiring a nominal closer. “I definitely think we’ll bolster our bullpen,” said Hoyer, who suggested the club has in-house closer candidates (Hector Rondon, Carl Edwards Jr.). “Whether we do that by adding a number of good relievers or whether we do it by adding a guy who’s a known closer, I’m not sure.” On Monday, a known closer (Mark Melancon) cost the Giants a four-year, $62 million commitment. And Chapman is said to seek a six-year deal and more than $100 million. “The postseason was reliever-centric,” Hoyer said. “Bullpens have always been really valuable, but with the way they were used and talked about, really not only this postseason but the last two or three, people are definitely putting a lot of financial importance on having a good bullpen.” The Cubs? “I think we see the value of it,” Hoyer said, citing the Cubs’ trade of their top prospect (Gleyber Torres) for Chapman in July. “By making that move I think we showed that we sort of agree with that to a certain extent.” Cub chatter – The Cubs have decided against sending Kyle Schwarber to winter ball as a way to catch up on at-bats missed during a season spent rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery. “I think he’s proved he can hit major-league pitching,” Hoyer said, referring to Schwarber’s dramatic return from the DL as a World Series DH (7-for-17, three walks). “He’s just going to continue the rehab and be full-go when we start spring training.” … The Cubs aren’t spending any of their focus on hitters for the big-league roster, but Hoyer said finding a capable catcher with

some experience as depth at Class AAA is on the winter priority list. … Speaking of catchers, Hoyer downplayed Miguel Montero’s displeasure with his playing time this year and likes the fit of young Willson Contreras (as the starter) with the veteran Montero as a 2017 tandem. -- Chicago Sun-Times Alou wants to help Cubs ease Bartman’s pain By Gordon Wittenmyer NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – If Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts makes good on his pledge to reach out to Steve Bartman for “closure” now that the Cubs have buried the goat, the man who made the Northshore fan famous says he’s all in. Moises Alou, the left fielder whose angry gestures and pleas over Bartman’s Game 6 deflection of a foul ball made Bartman famous in 2003, said he’ll even make time to attend any ceremony the Cubs might stage in tribute to Bartman. “Why not? I’d like to meet Bartman,” said Alou, who, 13 years later, still gets stopped by fans over that play that preceded an eighth-inning meltdown in that National League Championship Series game. Bartman reportedly still lives in the area but has steadfastly refused media interviews and overtures from the team. “I have nothing against the guy,” said Alou, who was at the winter meetings Monday representing his Dominican Republic team during a World Baseball Classic media event. “I said it right after the game. I had the ball, and I got upset, but at the same time it’s not that kid’s fault. Everybody goes to the ballpark, and they bring a glove. Everybody wants to catch a fly ball.” Besides, it’s not like Alou would have caught the ball anyway, as he approached on the run, so close to the rising brick wall down the left field line. “Yes, I would,” he said. “I always say that I would.” However, a few years ago he was reported to have told a kid who asked about it that he wouldn’t have caught it. “That’s a lie,” Alou said. “To me, I had the ball. “It don’t matter anymore.” Especially after putting all those past close calls to rest. “I was very happy,” he said of the Cubs’ championship. “I was very happy for the city of Chicago. And I was very happy because I thought they might finally stop talking about that play. But they didn’t.” He laughed as he remembered he was at an event about the WBC. “We’re still talking about Bartman, and the Cubs won,” he said. “Does Bill Buckner still get [asked about the 1986 World Series error]?” Of course. “Yeah? Oh, my God,” he muttered. “OK. I’m mentally prepared now.” --

Chicago Sun-Times Cubs hike ticket prices nearly 20 percent after World Series run By Gordon Wittenmyer And you thought the cost of mere promises was expensive. Already one of the top two major league teams in highest average ticket price, the Cubs are expected to be a solid No. 1 in 2017 – raising prices by an average of 19.5 percent after their historic World Series championship this year, to $58 for the average ticket. The club informed season ticket holders this week, a month after winning a dramatic Game 7 in Cleveland for their first World Series title in 108 years. A steep increase was expected. The Cubs increased prices about 10 percent after their 2015 playoff season in anticipation of increased demand that continued to climb throughout the 2016 season as attendance topped 3 million to reach the third-highest total in franchise history. Colin Faulkner, the Cubs’ senior vice president of sales and marketing, said that after a 98-percent season-ticket renewal rate a year ago, the Cubs’ season-ticket waiting list has climbed to 109,000. “There’s a significant public signal for demand, obviously,” said Faulkner, who also cited secondary market ticket prices at 96-percent above face value by the end of last regular season. The Cubs’ home schedule this season also includes marquee interleague meetings with the Yankees and playoff-caliber Blue Jays. The most coveted seats at Wrigley Field will rise by 31 percent, with some season tickets in the bleachers rising more than 22 percent. Other seating areas will be raised from 6 percent to 17 percent. Faulkner stressed the club remains “mindful of the loyalty to our season ticket holders,” with 25 percent of the games available in the lowest-priced “bronze” and “silver” categories. “It’s never easy to raise prices, so we’re really thoughtful about it,” he said. “We also are very optimistic about the future and about having a period of time where we have continued success on the baseball feel. And we’ve invested in the ballpark as well, so the fan experience has definitely increased as well.” -- Daily Herald Cubs season ticket holders, brace for 6% to 31% price hike By Anna Marie Kukec Chicago Cubs fans have found the road to the World Series is paved with high ticket prices, and next year won't be any different. Season ticket holders are seeing increases of 6 percent to 31 percent for 2017. When season ticket holders received their invoices on Monday, they saw ticket prices raised depending on the game, opposing team, seat location and other factors. The overall increase will be 19.5 percent for the whole season, said Colin Faulkner, senior vice president of tickets, partnership and marketing for the Chicago Cubs.

"Sure, the 19.5 percent increase is significant," Faulkner said. "And it was a tough decision to make, and we put a lot of thought into it. But we truly feel there is still tremendous value to fans." This latest price increase follows another in the 2016 season of 7 percent to 43 percent. That's when the team showed promise of capturing that World Series trophy and the season ticket renewal rate was 98 percent. On the open market, postseason tickets went for 670 percent of face value and World Series tickets went for 1,206 percent of face value. That's why the Cubs organization believes the demand will remain strong for 2017, Faulkner said. Seats with a 6 percent increase for 2017 are upper box infield seats while the 31 percent increase is for club box infield seats. Season ticket holders need to put down a 20 percent nonrefundable deposit by Dec. 19 and then provide the full payment by Jan. 20. Faulkner said season ticket holders still save money over the course of the season, compared to individual ticket buyers who pay more for similar seats during a regular season. "Clearly there is demand," he said. But will that demand continue for the post-World Series Cubs? After all, there are still construction and parking issues around Wrigley Field, and some fans just wanted to stick around long enough to see their Cubbies capture the World Series after 108 years. The Chicago Cubs organization isn't worried. There are 109,000 names on the waiting list for season tickets. -- Daily Herald Imrem: Cubs raise prices. Also, water is wet By Mike Imrem The Cubs announcing Monday that ticket prices are going up was like fish announcing that water is wet. It's what sports franchises do. When they lose, they raise the cost of a seat a little. When they win, they raise it a lot. This bothers some of my contemporaries. They remember going to games as kids and paying 50 cents, then 60 cents, then 75 cents and finally a buck to sit in Wrigley Field's bleachers. They remember having enough room to spread out on their own bench, soak in some rays and have enough money left for a hot dog. They are glad to tell you how so few people were in the ballpark that the Cubs closed the upper deck. They could hear the crack of the bat, hear the players' chatter, hear themselves think. To be honest, even as the Cubs advanced through the World Series I felt a tinge of nostalgia for the old days when even the bad times were good -- and affordable -- as the Cubs routinely finished in the bottom half of the National League. Heck, the upper half of the bottom half was viewed as a glorious season.

All games were played during the day. Murphy's Bleachers was the dumpy but comfortable Ray's Bleachers. Characters like porn star Seka frequented Wrigley Field. Get over it, geezers. These are the good, new, albeit expensive days. The Cubs are World Series champs, baseball's hottest ticket and one of the hottest in sports. Wrigley Field is the place to be ... if you can afford to be there. The dramatic increase in ticket prices should annoy me but doesn't. I should rant about what it costs for a family of four to attend a Cubs game but I won't. The Ricketts ownership can charge whatever they want after delivering a championship. After all, they insist all revenues will go back into sustaining the Cubs' success. Meanwhile, nobody is twisting anyone's arm to buy what they're selling. Most people realize by the time they advance beyond the first floor of grammar school that major-league baseball is big business. Personally, I wouldn't pay to get into a Cubs game or Bears game or any game that requires me to refinance my mortgage. Just prior to closing on the purchase of the Cubs in 2009, Tom Ricketts made an interesting statement to a small group of us. The man who shortly would become Cubs chairman said he didn't want Wrigley Field to become a corporate experience. My interpretation was that Ricketts didn't want only Boeing, United Airlines and McDonald's to be able to afford tickets. Yet, seven years later, that's the direction the Cubs are headed. Oh, sure, fans still can buy season tickets but they have to divide the cost 81 ways. Let's see, Joey, you won the lottery, you pay for the gold game and Liz, you just got a raise, you pay for the silver game, and me, I'll freeze my butt off in a cheaper seat in April. You might have noticed during the Great Recession that among the few jobs where salaries didn't plunge was professional athlete. Somehow, people whose salaries were frozen or employment was terminated managed to scrape up enough cash to attend sporting events. There's the sports supply, there's the fans' demand and there's prices rising as long as the two overlap. Yep, water will keeping getting wetter. --

Cubs.com Cubs looking to bolster back end of bullpen By Carrie Muskat NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Will the Cubs have a new closer in 2017? It's hard to say, general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday. "I definitely think we'll bolster the bullpen," Hoyer said on the first day of baseball's Winter Meetings. "Whether we do that by adding a number of good relievers or by adding a guy who's a known closer, I'm not sure." With Mark Melancon signing a four-year, $62 million deal with the Giants on Monday, and free agents Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen seeking mega deals of their own, the Cubs are more likely to trade for a closer. There were reports that they were one of several teams talking to the Royals about closer Wade Davis, a two-time All-Star who will be a free agent after the 2017 season. Davis, 31, who is slated to earn $10 million next season, was a dominant set-up man for Greg Holland before shifting to closer following Holland's injury. The right-hander has posted a 1.18 ERA with 47 saves over 185 games the past three seasons. Plus, Cubs manager Joe Maddon knows Davis from their time together in Tampa Bay (2009-2012). The Cubs also have in-house options, including Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. Rondon and Strop both missed time in August because of injuries. "I don't think either [Rondon or Strop] was able to get back to where they were after their injuries," Hoyer said. "I don't think we rushed them back; I don't think anyone was to blame. The playoffs were going to start and we didn't have the ability to delay them. Both guys probably didn't have a chance to get their legs underneath them and really get back to throwing well in the postseason. "From Joe's perspective, the playoffs aren't a time to put a guy out there, see what they have, gain confidence, allow them to get comfortable on the mound," Hoyer said. "Every inning in the playoffs is high leverage. I don't think either of those guys was able to get back to their performance level." The Cubs had the best starting staff in the Major Leagues (2.96 ERA) but felt they needed Chapman for the postseason, and acquired him in July from the Yankees for top prospect Gleyber Torres. The hard-throwing lefty was key, leading all Cubs pitchers in postseason appearances (13) and all Chicago relievers in playoff innings (15 2/3). "I think the postseason was reliever-centric," Hoyer said. "Bullpens have always been really valuable but the way they were used and talked about, and not just this postseason but the last two or three postseasons, I think people are putting a lot of financial importance in having a good bullpen. "By making that move [for Chapman], we showed we agree with that to a certain extent. To get those really difficult final outs in the postseason, having an elite guy is a huge advantage." Edwards is an intriguing option. The Cubs were careful regarding the right-hander's usage after he missed time in 2014 with a tender shoulder but they could actually protect him in the closer's role because Edwards would be used in obvious save situations. "We protected him this year and I think he benefitted from it," Hoyer said of Edwards. "Every year we have to assess where we are and how much we can use him." With Mike Montgomery projected for the rotation, the Cubs also are looking at adding starting pitching so they have more depth. "I think it's safe to say we're kicking the tires on any pitching that's available," Hoyer said. "We're not spending a lot of time on bats, we're spending our time on arms."

-- Cubs.com Schwarber to skip winter ball, continue rehab By Carrie Muskat NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Kyle Schwarber, who made a miraculous recovery from a severe knee injury suffered in the third game of the regular season to play in the World Series, will continue to rehab but not play in winter ball, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday. Schwarber tore two ligaments in his left knee in early April, and was able to be the designated hitter for the Cubs in the World Series, going 7-for-17 (.412) with two RBIs against the Indians. "We felt he proved he could hit Major League pitching," Hoyer said. However, whether Schwarber will catch again has yet to be decided. "That's the hurdle we haven't gone over yet," Hoyer said. "Can he do it? There's no question he's going to want to do it and think he can do it. We'll have to have discussions about how heavy a workload we put on him." Last year, Schwarber worked with the catchers and the outfielders in Spring Training, and injured his knee in a freak collision with Dexter Fowler while playing the outfield in April. "It's basically like playing two ways in football in a way," Hoyer said of the drills involved. "We know what his position is going to be. I know he'll want to catch. He knows he's coming in as a left fielder next year and we have to decide how much of the catching drills we'll do." Heyward to rehab swing Jason Heyward, who batted .230 in the first season of his eight-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs, will be rehabbing his swing. Heyward has bought a house in Arizona, Hoyer said, and will work with Chicago hitting coach John Mallee and assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske at the Cubs' complex in Mesa, Ariz. "You're not re-inventing him but getting him back to some of the places where he had the most success," Hoyer said of Heyward, who batted .293 in 2015. "That's what [Cubs fans] know of him, the one year [in 2016], but if you look back at his career, he's has some really good offensive seasons. We want to tweak his mechanics to the times when he had success -- 27 homers in 2012 -- and get him back to those places. We're not asking him to do new things but go back to doing things he did well. He's totally bought in and excited to get started." Hoyer said Heyward was receptive to the offseason work and credited the outfielder for not hiding during a rough first season with the Cubs. "He never asked out of the lineup, he helped the team defensively and on the bases and did the little things well," Hoyer said. "Obviously, he wanted to do better offensively. I think it's hard in-season to make significant changes. We needed the offseason to do that." Heyward, 27, definitely didn't let his struggles at the plate affect his play in the field, winning his fourth Gold Glove Award. Ross could join front office David Ross could be back with the Cubs but in a new role as a special assistant to the general manager.

"There's definitely interest on our part," Hoyer said. "It would be a shame if he wasn't [back]. No one has a better feel for what tweaks we'll need in the clubhouse or what's going on than he will. Having him around the next few years, he's really valuable. "It's so rare to have a guy who has that kind of feel for our clubhouse," Hoyer said. "How do you not want that guy around?" -- Cubs.com Cubs announce ticket price increase for 2017 By Carrie Muskat NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Coming off their first World Series championship since 1908, the Cubs announced Monday they will increase ticket prices for 2017. Season-ticket holders will receive an email on Monday with the details. The team said the average ticket price increase will be 19.5 percent, with a range by section from six to 31 percent, and the highest-priced tickets will be for the best seats. Raising ticket prices is never easy, said vice president of ticketing Cale Vennum, but there were a number of factors considered in establishing the pricing. These include sales data for both the primary and secondary markets, as well as the Cubs' schedule. Next season's calendar includes rare weekend Interleague games against the Yankees (May 5-7) and the Blue Jays (Aug. 18-20), as well as summer weekend rivalry series against the Cardinals and Pirates. The Cubs said 2016 postseason tickets sold for 670 percent above face value on the secondary market, including an incredible 1,206 percent above face value in the World Series. That demand followed a regular season in which the secondary market exceeded face value by an average of 96 percent. With the continued restoration and modernization of Wrigley Field this offseason, fans also will enjoy value with an improved game experience that will include more space, amenities and concessions. Families can still find affordable ticket options at Wrigley Field, including tickets starting at $9 and more than a quarter of the schedule categorized as either "bronze" or "silver" games. The Cubs said the established demand for tickets has simply far exceeded the current pricing levels. Vennum said it's important for the club to realize some of that value that would otherwise be lost to the secondary market so the Cubs can reinvest those funds into the team and ballpark. The season-ticket holder waiting list is at its largest total in years, with more than 100,000 people. In 2016, the Cubs drew more than 3.2 million, their third-best season attendance figure. The Cubs open the 2017 season on April 2 at St. Louis and play their first home game April 10 against the Dodgers. Single-game tickets will go on sale in February. -- Cubs.com 'Play Ball' charity auction features Cubs items By Carrie Muskat NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Want to meet Cubs broadcasters Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies plus attend a game? How about play catch in the outfield at Wrigley?

You can do that and support a good cause. Major League Baseball and all 30 teams have organized a Play Ball charity auction benefiting youth baseball and softball in Little Ferry, N.J., the hometown for Shannon Forde, a director of media relations for the Mets who lost her battle against breast cancer. The money raised from the auction will help renovate a field in Forde's name. There are more than 100 unique baseball-related experiences and memorabilia packages. The auction at MLB.com/Shannon runs throughout the Winter Meetings, ending Thursday at 8 p.m. CT. Among the Cubs-related items up for bid are: Meet the broadcasters: Fans will receive four field-box tickets to a mutually agreed upon game plus have the opportunity to meet Cubs broadcasters Kasper, Deshaies, Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer. Dream day at the Confines: The winning bidder will receive four field-box tickets to a mutually agreed upon game. Fans also will be able to watch batting practice from the field. Catch in the Confines: Fans can bid on the chance to play catch for 30 minutes prior to a night game at Wrigley Field. The catch will take place in the afternoon before batting practice. The package includes four pregame field passes and four field-box tickets to that night's game. The Shannon Forde Field will be located across from where Forde grew up. It's where Forde played with her sister, Alicia, and her niece when she was a kid. Forde's father, Mike, coached softball there for years. Hopefully, Forde's two children -- Nicki, 9, and Kendall, 6 -- can play there for years to come. There are plenty of other unique baseball-themed items in the auction, including diner with the D-backs' Luis Gonzalez and Randy Johnson, a Red Sox grounds crew experience, team photographer for a day with the Royals or Angels, and the chance to invite the Famous Klement's Racing Sausages to your home for a summer barbecue. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs continue offseason under the radar looking for pitching depth By Jesse Rogers NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer freely admits it’s the White Sox’s turn to garner headlines at the winter meetings. The Cubs have made enough of them over the past few years, resulting in a world championship. With what he termed a “nice” core in place, Hoyer and the rest of the front office are going about the business of tweaking a good thing. “I think teams know we’re pretty set, especially from a position player standpoint,” Hoyer said at the end of Day 1 at the winter meetings. “I think they know we’re not going to be one of the teams mixing it up and making the headlines here.” Is Hoyer selling the Cubs short? Perhaps. But the implication is that closer Aroldis Chapman won’t be returning to the Cubs, and free-agent reliever Kenley Jansen’s price tag will be way too high. And there wasn’t much of an indication that the Cubs were in on reliever Mark Melancon, who signed with the Giants. The Cubs insist they have internal options to pitch the ninth inning, but everyone knows they’ll be fortifying the back of their bullpen sooner or later. “We’ll bolster our bullpen,” Hoyer stated. “Whether we do that by adding a number of relievers or a known closer, I’m not sure.” If healthy, Tyson Ross would be a good fit to add depth to the Cubs' pitching staff. Mike Stobe/Getty Images Available closers who aren’t named Jansen or Chapman include Wade Davis of the Royals, A.J. Ramos of the Marlins, Alex Colome of the Rays and Greg Holland, who missed the 2016 season after Tommy John surgery.

Then there’s the rotation depth the Cubs are seeking. In the past, they’ve employed former starters in the bullpen thinking they could take a turn in the rotation if needed, but by midseason those players, such as Travis Wood, Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill, weren’t stretched out. They sent Warren and Cahill to the minors to start some games, but the strategy didn’t pay off. “The more we have guys with [minor league] options that can make those starts, the better, because we didn’t have those guys last year,” Hoyer said. And don’t count out newly minted free agent Tyson Ross. A league executive confirmed what we already knew: The Cubs were in pursuit of Ross while he was employed by the San Diego Padres. Now that he’s a free agent (albeit coming off shoulder surgery), the executive thinks the Cubs will maintain their interest. “We haven’t done that a lot here,” Hoyer said of adding an injury project. “I think it really can have an added benefit, but you have to think through how it’s going to fit into your team.” Ross would fit perfectly if he's healthy -- his camp thinks he could be ready as soon as April -- because his presence would allow Mike Montgomery to return to his role as a sixth man/long reliever. Montgomery was the one Cubs pitcher who was able to juggle starter and reliever assignments in 2016. Other than signing a free agent such as Ross, adding pitching will require moving some inventory. The Cubs have plenty of it. There’s no room at the inn -- or the outfield -- for Jorge Soler, for example. “The more we can move that depth into pitching, that’s really our goal,” Hoyer said. “I don’t think we have to [make a deal], but I understand the questions. We have a number of guys that rightfully want to get at-bats. We don’t have to make a move, but we can do something to help us get depth in other areas.” So while the White Sox might end up being the movers and shakers this week, that’s because they need to. The Cubs were there once -- selling, then eventually buying. Now they’re in that aforementioned tweaking mode. “We’ve set expectations appropriately,” Hoyer said. “It’s nice to know we have a really good core and a really good team. We can definitely get better, but our core makes that easier. “It’s a good feeling.” -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs capitalize on demand, raise prices on season-ticket plans By Jesse Rogers NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Chicago Cubs are capitalizing on the demand for tickets after winning their first World Series in 108 years. The team announced a season-ticket pricing plan for 2017 with increases from 6 to 31 percent. "It's not easy to raise ticket prices," said senior vice president of sales and marketing Colin Faulkner during the Winter Meetings on Monday. "We are really sensitive to the loyalty and support of our fans, but at the same time the value of our tickets right now is far exceeding the current pricing levels. It's important for us to realize some of that value and invest it back into the team and into the facility." In other words, instead of allowing season-ticket holders to see huge returns on the resale market, the Cubs are simply increasing the face value so they get some value out of the demand. According to the team, the secondary market exceeded face value for regular-season games by 96 percent. That went up to 670 percent in the playoffs and a whopping 1,206 percent above face value in the World Series.

The team says the marquee nature of their interleague home games played a part in the increases. The Cubs host the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays while taking on the St. Louis Cardinals in three separate weekend series. Last season the team had five tiers of ticket pricing depending on the opponent, but in 2017 they'll add one more tier (Diamond) for three specific games: Opening Day against the Los Angeles Dodgers, May 6 against the Yankees and July 22 against the Cardinals. Club boxes will see the biggest increase (31 percent), while upper-deck box infield seats will see the smallest (6 percent). The average ticket increase will be 19.5 percent. The Cubs stressed that more than 25 percent of their home games fall under the lowest two ticket pricing tiers, and that they had a 98 percent renewal in 2016. The team says it has 109,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs still 'exploring' White House visit with President Obama By Jesse Rogers NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- The Chicago Cubs are still exploring a visit to the White House before President Barack Obama leaves office in late January, according to a team source. Obama has publicly invited the Cubs to Washington, but logistics may prevent it from happening before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. There is an opening for the team about a week before Obama’s term is over when the organization gets together for their annual fan convention. It's possible the Cubs could simply fly the players to Washington from Chicago before or after the convention, which takes place Jan. 13-15. If the schedule doesn’t allow it to happen before Jan. 20, the Cubs would most likely visit the White House when they play the Washington Nationals in late June. --