Chicago Cubs News: Bryant’s path; Don’t rest on Russell

The Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant scored the largest arbitration contract for a first-year player, topping the Philadelphia Phillies’ Ryan Howard in 2008. Both are on a similar path, but will it continue that way?

The Chicago Cubs‘ Kris Bryant. The Phillies’ Ryan Howard. When you first hear their names, you don’t think that Bryant and Howard would have been on the same arc in their careers. But in a way, they were. Now that Bryant has set the record for a first-year player with a $10.85 million deal, how will he continue his career? Howard never expected to fall off like he did, with his last year in baseball being in 2016. Their first three seasons? Very similar. So where does KB go from here?

In 2017, there wasn’t much going right for the Cubs young shortstop. Off the field issues to injury, he never seemed to gain any traction to his year. But Addison Russell is still young, and will only be starting his fourth season in the majors. Can we expect more from him, especially with his batting average? Based on his first three years, I wouldn’t. But it was his “clutch” factor that made him so impressive in 2016. The Cubs just need to put him in more of those spots. Something they failed to do last season.

The Cubs took a little time from the Cubs Convention to bring a little bit of joy to a family for their gender reveal. Colin and Jennifer Carney have been dealing with the heartaches of Hurricane Harvey, and just wanted to share a little bit of joy with their family and friends. So they got together with the Cubs to do their gender reveal on stage with the Cubs help.  With poppers in hand, they players pulled and found out that baby number three will be…a boy.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Bryant sets 1st-year arb player record’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Healthy Russell can be X-factor for Cubs once again’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Family gets help from Cubs for gender reveal’ – MLB.com

‘Astros score Pirates’ Cole in 5 player deal’ – ESPN.com

‘Twins sign Reed to two-year deal’ – Puckett’s Pond

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