archer worked with veteran catcher hank conger this day and you better believe the conversation went both wales. how much of that is on him and you also living up to what you just said to him? >> well, every pitcher is different. some people like for the catcher's glove to be where they want the ball to finish. some people want the catcher's glove where they want to start the ball. >> reporter: that's what makes these conversations in spring training so important. a little chat out here in the practice bullpen can mean a huge out later in the season. >> just so when we do get into games, there's no questioning. there's no doubt. he already knows kind of the game plan and then we just work within that. >> i'm sure if you're a catcher like hake is, you've got a good memory and track record of remembering those things. >> i could tell as we got into already kind of anticipating where the ball was going to go. >> reporter: no detail ignored, no fundamental skimmed at practice. archer has assume -- skipped at practice. archer has assumed a leadership role and if he's not ready, everyone w

the new guy, hank conger, and rene rivera, all battling for time. competition makes for a good spring training camp. >> the energy has been good. the guys, you know, the clubhouse chemistry has been god and the guys are coming in and getting their work in. we want them to get in here and get their work in and leave. they have done a great job doing that. >> really just everybody having a role and being able to like come in and come through and fill in that role. you look at it, baseball is all about pitching and defense, and i think we have a great core with that and we're looking forward to it. maddon at his best today at arizona. after stories that the outfielder dexter fowler had signed with the orioles, it turned out that he was actually returning to the cubs. so joe recognized a moment for the team and the popular dexter fowler, he called a surprise meeting on the field and out walked dexter fowler. the teammates thought he was going to say good-bye to everybody and joe then announced that dexter is returning for another year so look at this. h

archer worked with veteran catcher hank conger on this day and you better believe the conversation went both ways. and you also living up to what you just said t? >> well, every different. some people like the catcher's glove to be where they want the ball to finish. some people want the catcher's glove where they want to start the ball. >> ha is what makes the conversations so important. a little chat out here in the practice bullpen can mean a huge out later in the season. >> just so when we do get into games it there is no questioning there, is no doubt. he already knows, kind of the game plan and we work within that. >> i'm sure if you're a catcher like hank is, you have a good memory and track record of remembering those things. >> i could tell 20 and 30 pitches, he was anticipating where the ball was going to go. >> no detail ignored, no fundamentals skipped at practice. archer has assumed a leadership role as a pitcher and if he is not satisfied, well, everyone >> and by the way, blake snell is the real deal. he is a name we'll hear plenty. he is likely to begin the season back i