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The leadoff spot has been in flux for the Cubs since Dexter Fowler left after the 2016 season. A new chapter in that role could soon be coming.

According to multiple reports, Kris Bryant talked about leading off for the Cubs in a meeting with new manager David Ross and it sounds like he will get a chance to do just that.

Bryant said offered to lead off for Cubs this year during his meeting with Ross. Sounded like he expects to get that shot.

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 19, 2020

Bryant led off for University of San Diego during his junior year when he was college player of the year. Said he would seek advice/tips from guys with big-league experience.
What he likes most about it: "fifth at-bat." https://t.co/wALwdnFnvA

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 19, 2020

The Cubs have been creative with the leadoff spot without the lack of a traditional leadoff hitter on the roster. Anthony Rizzo even has 57 games in the leadoff spot in his career.

Bryant has had seven starts at the top of the order. He hit .321/.387/.464 in those games.

Bryant on leadoff:
"I think the past 3 years we haven’t really had someone that was stuck in the leadoff hole &stayed there. I think we totally took Dexter for granted while he was here. I certainly did, because he was up there working great at-bats. He was always on base ..."1/2

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 19, 2020

Bryant on leadoff spot, 2/2:
"I think we have so much turnover, just trying certain guys out, you don’t get that consistency. If I need to be the guy that’s up there that's going to be consistent and get on base, I’ll be that guy." https://t.co/bbVDnYUSei

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 19, 2020

Bryant said he floated idea of leading off to Ross:

"I didn’t request [it]. I said I’m here to do whatever you want. If you need me to be that guy for you, I’m your guy.”

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 19, 2020

The Cubs' own Twitter account has made it semi-official by poking fun at Bryant as a leadoff hitter.

Top of the line(up). pic.twitter.com/ruz69x13d1

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 19, 2020

What this would do to the rest of the Cubs' lineup is going to be interesting. Bryant primarily batted second or third last year. Putting him at leadoff could separate him from Rizzo and Javy Baez in the middle of the lineup. Ross could also continue to change things up and put Baez or Rizzo second to keep the team's best three hitters back-to-back-to-back in the order.

Ross hasn't even managed a spring training game yet, but this could be his first big change. With the first spring training game coming up on Saturday, we should get a clue as to how Ross plans to send the team out. Suddenly the batting order is something to keep an eye on.

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Latest Cubs Talk

How Cubs stack up, according to WAR, from 2015-19

Top 25 Cubs, according to WAR, from 2015-19

How Cubs' Ian Happ is promoting mental health and wellness

The Cubs made the playoffs four times in five seasons under Joe Maddon, receiving contributions across the diamond from All-Stars and role players alike.

Some players, of course, had bigger impacts for Maddon's Cubs, even in smaller sample sizes. Jesse Chavez and Cole Hamels weren't Cubs for long, but the two 2018 trade deadline pickups helped the North Siders reach the postseason for a fourth straight year.

These are the top 25 players by WAR (wins above replacement) from the Maddon era, according to Baseball Reference.

Top 25 Cubs, according to WAR, from 2015-19

Latest Cubs Talk

How Cubs stack up, according to WAR, from 2015-19

Top 25 Cubs, according to WAR, from 2015-19

How Cubs' Ian Happ is promoting mental health and wellness

It's kind of hard to believe 2020 is only Ian Happ's fourth season in the big leagues. The 25-year-old burst onto the scene with 24 home runs in 2017, and since has been through trials and tribulations, getting demoted to the minor leagues in 2019.

Whenever the 2020 season kicks off, Happ is in line for the starting center field job. Until then, here's a few things to know about him.

1. Happ attended University of Cincinnati from 2012-15, where he studied finance. He was a star on the field (2015 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year) and an exemplary student in the classroom (3.68 GPA, 2015 Academic All-American).

2. Happ is an avid golfer and is a 2 handicap, according to Golf Digest. He competed in the Straight Down Fall Classic in San Luis Obispo, Calif., the last two Novembers.

View this post on Instagram

Fun weekend competing at the @straightdown Fall Classic! #sports

A post shared by Ian Happ (@ihapp_1) on Dec 4, 2018 at 3:58pm PST

3. Happ serves as an honorary ambassador for First Tee Greater Chicago, which strives to introduce the game of golf to young people. The organization raised $23,000 at a January fundraiser Happ participated in.

4. In 2019, Happ and artist Patrick Vale started “Through My Eyes” — a three-piece artwork series capturing Wrigley Field from different perspectives. Proceeds go to the Happ Family Charitable Fund, which promotes mental health and wellness.

Happ lost his father, Keith, to brain cancer in 2015.