Jan. 25--New Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon took a major step this weekend toward getting acclimated with his players.
Maddon traveled to Puerto Rico this weekend to meet and watch young slugger Javier Baez, El Nuevo Dia reported.
Maddon told the newspaper the main purpose of the trip was to cultivate a relationship with Baez, who is participating in the Puerto Rican League playoffs in an effort to reduce his high strikeout rate.
"I'm a new member of the Cubs as a leader, and Javier is a big part of our future," Maddon told the paper. "I come to give support and develop a relationship -- that you trust me. The most important thing for me is the confidence we can have in the spring fields."
Baez's 95 strikeouts in 213 at-bats overshadowed his nine home runs in 52 games, and general manager Jed Hoyer said last weekend that Baez, 22, would have to earn a spot on the opening day roster.
Baez has worked on his batting stance and adjusted the placement of his hands to have a better chance of making contact. But he struck out 21 times in 43 at-bats in December.
Under the watch of Maddon, Baez went 1-for-4 with a single Saturday night, and he hit an RBI single in the second inning for Santurce in Game 5 of the Puerto Rican League playoffs against Mayaguez on Sunday.
"(Maddon) talks to me as if I had known him all my life," Baez told the newspaper. "I like him, and he is a tremendous person."
Hitting coach John Mallee visited Baez last month.
