Cubs Convention Day 2: Front Office, Sveum Talk, RF Patio Coming to Wrigley

The second day of the three-day Cubs Convention did not have quite the excitement as the first, though there were a few noteworthy items to come out on Saturday.

The first was new manager Dale Sveum being asked once again about the possibility of Prince Fielder to the Cubs.

Sveum, keeping in line with his various quotes throughout the winter, stated once more that the Cubs have not had serious discussions with Prince Fielder, and that Fielder will not become a Cub.

Sveum's exact quote was: "It's just not going to happen. We have Bryan LaHair and Rizzo waiting in the wings."

Sveum's constant quotes go against a report by ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Cubs may still be in it for Fielder, but only on their terms. However, it's looking more and more like the Cubs signing Fielder on "their terms" may mean a contract not unlike one given to an aging utility player.

Part of Theo's interview/Q&A session with fans addressed the trade of Andrew Cashner for Anthony Rizzo.

In the interview, Theo said that the Cubs saw Cashner's "best role ultimately was going to be as a relief pitcher", and that "Anthony Rizzo has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order, power-hitting left-handed first baseman who plays good defense."

In addition to filling a clear void for the future of the Cubs, Rizzo offers the potential to "add to that core to build around," to again quote Epstein's interview.

In a separate Q&A session, manager Dale Sveum, GM Jed Hoyer, and Assistant GM Randy Bush addressed Cub fans.

Sveum said of current starting first baseman Bryan LaHair's 2011 season "[he] hit 38 home runs in AAA last season, and I don't care where you hit 38 home runs, you're a pretty good hitter."

Sveum also praised new third baseman Ian Stewart's athleticism and power, and the front office's work on retooling the major league roster.

New GM Jed Hoyer criticized the Miami Marlins' boom and bust style of team building:

"The Florida Marlins style of making the playoffs and winning the World Series every time they do it, that's not really one to follow." Hoyer went on to reiterate the new mantra of being a constant contender and eventually winning the World Series.

Assistant GM Randy Bush, a holdover from the Hendry era, praised the efforts of Hoyer and Epstein since taking over, saying that the two "have made everyone feel comfortable, that they're a part of the process, that they can be a part of the vision going forward, and it really has energized the whole process."

The final piece of news was the announcement that the Cubs will be adding a patio in right field.

The patio is slated to hold 150 people, and will tentatively be either rented as a whole, or in three separate 50-person sections. The patio will take over the reserved seating area in right field, and not any areas of actual bleachers.