Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Fitting that David Ross’ first job after retirement is, basically, an internship.

“You could put it like that,” the former backup catcher said Friday at the Cubs Convention after the team announced he would serve as a special assistant to baseball operations.

That’s a fancy title for, well, Ross isn’t entirely sure.

He retired as a player Nov. 2, the moment Anthony Rizzo squeezed Kris Bryant’s throw in the 10th inning of Game 7 in Cleveland, 15 years in the big leagues capped with his second World Series title.

“It’s a lot of me listening, taking in different parts of the organization, things I don’t know anything about,” Ross said. “Get some background on what it takes to run an organization.”

Ross, who turns 40 in March, plans to study scouting and player development and “listen to the wealth of knowledge they have in the front office.” He also will help evaluate amateur players before the draft in June.

Cubs third baseman and National League MVP Kris Bryant said he’s happy Ross will remain attached to the team. But he jokingly warned that he better know his place.

“I think we can still call him ‘Grandpa,'” Bryant said. “We were giving him a hard time at (Rizzo’s charity event Thursday). There was a section that said, ‘players.’ We told him, ‘You can’t be in here. Players only.’ We love to have fun with him.”

Ross batted .229 with 106 home runs and 314 RBIs while playing in 883 regular-season games for seven teams. He also helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013.

Baez item: Javier Baez isn’t worried about playing time with the return of Kyle Schwarber in left field resulting in Ben Zobrist’s potential return to second base.

“I already have a ring,” Baez said. “There’s nothing to be worried about. We have to see how everything goes.”

Despite starting every postseason game at second base, Baez is prepared to return to his super-utility role. Baez, who batted .273 with 14 home runs in his first full major-league season, is certain of his status.

“I’m 100 percent an everyday player,” Baez said.

Baez is the only Cub committed to play in the World Baseball Classic, for his native Puerto Rico. He said it wasn’t a tough decision to leave his teammates temporarily during spring training.

“I’ve been resting a lot and feel good,” Baez said.

Special visit: Monday’s visit to the White House will be a repeat for President Theo Epstein, who won two Series with the Red Sox.

“I’m happiest for our players,” Epstein said. “It’s a really special part of winning the World Series. It feels like you finally made it. You feel like you’re in the most precious building in the country and get to strut around as world champs and meet the president. It doesn’t get any better than that.

“It’s very fitting we’re seeing a Chicagoan (President Barack Obama) in his last week in office. That makes it more special.”

Memory lane: Recently married Kris Bryant said he and his wife, Jessica, will go on their honeymoon next offseason, “hopefully after a World Series win.”

Bryant said he barely has had time to relive his 2016 National League MVP season.

“I’ve honestly been thinking about the last game and how unbelievable that was,” Bryant said. “One of the greatest baseball games ever to be played. And I feel honored to be a part of that.”

Down to one: Jake Arrieta ($15.6375 million), Hector Rondon ($5.8 million) and Justin Grimm ($1.825 million) agreed to terms, leaving reliever Pedro Strop as the only arbitration-eligible unsigned player. Strop is seeking $6 million; the Cubs submitted a $4.6 million offer.

Arrieta’s agreement was revealed shortly after free-agent right-hander Tyson Ross, a Cubs target, reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Rangers.

“(Ross) made a decision he sees in his best interest to come back from his (thoracic outlet syndrome) injury and put himself in a position to pitch again there,” Epstein said. “We wish him well.”

http://embed.sendtonews.com/player2/embedcode.php?fk=1K5jh214&cid=4591