Cubs Notes: Extension Talks Ongoing, Codi Heuer Positive Update, Injuries, Closer Role

I've leaned toward the optimistic side when it comes to evaluating Jed Hoyer and the Cubs on their moves this offseason, but there's still one thing that fans can mostly agree on and that's wanting to get an extension done with now starting second baseman Nico Hoerner.

Spring training is underway in Mesa, Ariz., for the Cubs, as pitchers and catchers had their first workout on Wednesday. Hoyer, along with Cubs GM Carter Hawkins, spoke to the media and extension talks were brought up.

Hoyer took over the show in the Cubs front office following the 2019 offseason and let's just say 2020 wasn't exactly a normal baseball season, let alone every-day life, leading to some major cuts on the team. Much of the talent was gone by the middle of 2021 from the previous core and although several free agents were signed this past offseason, including Dansby Swanson's big seven-year contract, Cubs fans are still aching from the lack of extensions to young players over the last five years.

The two major considerations this offseason are Ian Happ and Hoerner. As always, it takes two to tango when it comes to contract negotiations and who knows, maybe for Happ he's in the mindset of betting on himself as he's eyeing free agency following the 2023 season. But for Hoerner, it makes all the sense in the world for the Cubs to want to lock him in long term as soon as possible.

We're going to keep saying prove it because there simply haven't been any extensions for the Cubs since David Bote and Kyle Hendricks. And when it comes to Hoyer's latest comments, you can't really read too much into them because his previous discussion on the topic has been so vague. And again, nothing's been done yet or even been rumored to be close to getting done.

Bleacher Nation's Michael Cerami listed all the times Hoyer has talked about extensions this offseason.

So, fingers crossed that the Cubs can get something done with Hoerner because he's already viewed as one of the central figures on this team by other players coming up.

In other camp news, right-handed pitcher Codi Heuer had a bullpen session. This is huge because Heuer had Tommy John surgery last March and the thought then was that his recovery would be a little longer than the normal rehab from the elbow surgery. So, it's good to see Heuer ahead of schedule and Hoyer also made it seem like Heuer being on the 60-day injured list to begin the season wasn't a given. That was kind of the expectation when he first had the procedure last year, but now the door is slightly open that Heuer could be ready right out of spring training.

That being said, there is no way the Cubs are going to rush Heuer back, especially because the current depth in bullpen options that the team has. And you know, you want to look at the long-term picture with Heuer and make sure he's fully good to go, which is still a question regardless of any given timetable when pitchers return from Tommy John surgery.

Speaking of injuries, the good news coming into spring training is that no new issue has sprung up from Cubs pitchers over the offseason. Fans usually learn about guys needing surgery or being delayed because something felt off during the past month or so of preparing for camp, but no such announcements were made by Hoyer on Wednesday.

Of course, it's still early and you can bet on a handful of guys dealing with some kind of injury leading up to Opening Day, you just hope it's nothing major. Also, we have already known that Kyle Hendricks won't be ready for the start of the regular season.

Cubs manager David Ross talked about the closer role.

Rowan Wick and Brandon Hughes are two relievers coming back from the 2022 team with the most amount of saves, with nine and eight respectively. Another potential option is recently signed Michael Fulmer who has had some success saving games since 2021.

But who knows, maybe it could be another veteran coming in to camp winning the job like Zack Britton, who the Cubs scouted in Florida on Wednesday.

The Cubs will have their first full team workout on Monday, as the rest of the position players will officially report to spring training by then.