Willson Contreras unbothered by being included in Cubs’ offseason trade rumorsRussell Dorseyon February 27, 2021 at 10:01 pm

Contreras’ name was thrown around during the offseason as possibly being on the move.

If you played for the Cubs last season and you were going to be under contract in 2021, there’s a high probability that your name was going to be in a trade rumor.

Catcher Willson Contreras wasn’t immune from those rumors during the offseason, but the two-time All-Star says he isn’t fazed by hearing his name come up as a possible trade target.

“Those rumors didn’t bother me. It’s the other way [around],” Contreras said. “Those who make me proud because [of] everything that I’ve done to be where I’m at. Immensely proud. I wasn’t like, bothered at all, I was just kinda going through it relaxed, because if I got traded, I know that I’m ready to play anywhere and everywhere. So that didn’t bother me. I’m in a spot where those types of things don’t bother me.”

After the rumors were floated on Twitter, Contreras took to his social media and fired off a few sarcastic tweets regarding the rumors.

“That’s what [social] media is all about,” he said. “I know a few reporters were trying to make something out of [nothing]. But that’s what [social] media is all about. Just to have fun and do whatever you need to do with it.”

Pedro Strop officially in Cubs camp

The Cubs made the signing of right-hander Pedro Strop official on Saturday and the longtime Cubs reliever took part in his first workout with the team. Strop, 35, signed a minor-league deal last week with an invite to spring training.

“We’re glad to have him here. We’re hoping he’ll be able to get out there and perform here real soon,” manager David Ross said. “It’s nice just to have him back walking around the clubhouse. It just … I don’t know, makes me smile, makes me happy to see him. I think it makes a lot of guys happy.”

Kyle Ryan taking part in baseball activities, still on COVID-19 list

Left-hander Kyle Ryan participated in the Cubs’ morning workout on Saturday. Ryan was placed on the team’s COVID-19 list on Feb. 17. According to MLB health and safety protocols, players who have tested positive or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive must isolate for 10 days and can be cleared once they are deemed to no longer present a risk of infection to others.

Once Ryan is removed, the Cubs would have to make a corresponding move to make room for him on the 40-man roster.

He said it

“It’s just a mental team identity. I think that we kind of collectively did something together and worked on [our defense] as a group. I think it really kind of tied all that together.” – David Bote on Cubs’ defensive improvements in 2020

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