MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs added to a lengthy list of potential bullpen arms by signing veteran lefty Manny Parra to a minor league deal on Monday. Parra, 33, is well known by the Cubs, having spent his entire eight-year career in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. He has compiled a 4.90 ERA in 322 games, including 74 starts.
“There are good players available right now,” general manager Jed Hoyer said after announcing the deal. “Because of that we’ll bring in some guys, get to know them and see if there is potential for a good relationship down the road.”
Parra will compete with a host of left-handers during spring training, so it’s doubtful he’d make the team if all are healthy. But the Cubs know they’ll need more than the 12 pitchers they take north in April.
“He has a lot of history with Boz [pitching coach Chris Bosio] and Boz speaks highly of him,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He could be helpful to us.”
Lester to first: Cameras were flashing as pitchers went through their daily drills on Monday, including pickoff attempts at first base. Jon Lester made a few throws which weren’t completely on the mark but got over to first base. The Cubs continue to stress it’s a work in progress with Lester after he allowed the most stolen bases in the league last season. At one point he and veteran right-hander John Lackey playfully threw a couple of balls in the direction of reporters who were watching every move. No one was injured.
Batting order: The batting order for the regular season will be a topic throughout the spring. Maddon reiterated he hasn’t decided if he’ll bat the pitcher eighth or ninth yet. Last season, he rightly felt Addison Russell benefited from hitting last in the order, so Maddon is considering keeping him at No. 9.
“I like him there,” Maddon said. “I like how it bleeds into 1-2. I need to get together with our geeks and see what they think about the batting order.”
The Cubs' brass liked the idea last year as well, though, like Maddon, they aren’t sold on either strategy.
“I went back and forth over the course of last season,” Hoyer said. “I don’t think you can be dogmatic about it. You do it based on your personnel.”
Maddon simply wants to be sure one way isn’t decidedly better than the other.
“I need to see if there is something I’m missing there,” he stated.
Media day: Monday was the Cactus League’s annual media day with general managers and managers meeting reporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix. Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke to reporters at the outset, indicating his office is still monitoring how balls and strikes are called. He admitted the strike zone has lowered at the league’s urging, which some Cubs players had issues with last year. The Cubs employ a taller team which makes reaching pitches low in the strike zone a difficult task at times. But players will have to live with the calls because Manfred backed the umpires. He also said the technology they use to rate the umps is different than the ones television networks use, so judging the umpires by watching on TV isn’t necessarily a true indicator of their work.
Rizzo on Fowler: Anthony Rizzo says he talks with free agent Dexter Fowler and like most in baseball is surprised a team hasn’t signed the former Cubs center fielder yet.
“I stay in touch with him a lot,” Rizzo said. “I love Dex. It’ll work out for him, but it’s unfortunate for him right now.”
The quote: “I look forward to opening night [versus the Cubs], but I'd rather face Joe in another series, later, if you know what I mean.” -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia on hoping for a World Series meeting between the teams
