Cubs News: Maddon discusses candidates for lead-off hitter and closer for 2017 |
Joe Maddon spoke with reporters on Tuesday and said that his message to the players would be about winning the World Series again.
Maddon also said that right now his leading candidates to bat leadoff will be Ben Zobrist and Kyle Schwarber because of the departure of Dexter Fowler according to multiple reports. Schwarber leading off a game would be one of the most unconventional moves by Joe Maddon but would give the young phenom tons of at-bats during the season. He also said that Hector Rondon is the closer for 2017 right now. Regardless, if the Cubs go shopping for a closer in the offseason, they also still have Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop waiting in the wings. However, the Cubs have been targeting help in the starting rotation and relief pitching since the Winter Meeting have started.
