Spring Training Preview: Chicago Cubs
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2016 seems like a distant memory. When the Chicago Cubs entered spring training that year the expectation was clear, World Series or bust. 7 years later the only remaining player from that team is now the teams' manager, David Ross. That itself speaks volumes to how this team has been put together and how the expectations surrounding this team are much different. With owner Tom Ricketts promising to all Cub fans that we would not be rebuilding, but rather revamping, the trust within the fan base still existed. But as we've watched the previous 2 years, the Cubs were obviously not trying to compete with the elite teams in the MLB. It became apparent that the focus was on payroll efficiency and not fielding the best team we could. Along with that, the lack of respect to the great players who wore the jersey was obvious i.e. Wilson Contreras who now wears the disgusting Cardinal red we all hate.
BUT ALAS. The beauty of spring training is this... Everybody starts out 0-0 and much to the surprise of Cub fans, the front office actually made serious moves this offseason. Not to say that the moves they made put them in immediate contention, but the team is better than the last game they played in 2022.
Those key additions are:
SS Dansby Swanson
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-The coveted prized shortstop jewel comes from the world champion Atlanta Braves in the prime of his career and solidifies a marquee position in the game of baseball. He's a remarkable defender and has a bat that has to be respected. On top of that he has the intangible of "having that dog in him" which I absolutely love. Huge move.
CF Cody Bellinger
-The former MVP has struggled to find the same success he had in his MVP campaign but again is a stout defender and can save a lot of runs in that way. Perhaps a new home will give him the fresh start he needs to get a taste of the MVP season he had with the Dodgers a few years back. Either way it's just not possible he has the same hitting struggles that Jason Heyward unfortunately had during his time with the Cubs. Upgrade.
DH/1B Trey Mancini
-I arguably love this move the most because it was one of the last free agent signings we made. With success in Baltimore and Houston, Mancini established himself as a serious bat and phenomenal teammate. So the fact that we buckled down and found a way to bring a guy like him in shows that at the very least the front office is TRYING. Guaranteed he will have some massive hits this year and hopefully overtake Hosmer at 1B.
Those 3 will certainly make an impact on overall W/L totals this year barring injury. And so here's the deal Cubs fans.... On paper we aren't all that bad. I see the Cubs right in the middle of the division. The Cardinals and Brewers are at the top and the Pirates and Reds are well below, so to me it feels like we have a chance to make something of this squad. A scrappy bunch if you will. What it really comes down too is health, injuries, and how fast Ross can get these guys to gel and believe in each other.
There is a good mix of young talent and veteran presence and when that clicks anything is possible. They will have to do a lot of the little things right in order to be a playoff team this year. And to me that feels like the biggest opportunity they have to become a team in the race. I'm excited to see what that recipe looks like as the season begins but just like I always say with any team I root for... I'll be damned if I go into any season already defeated. I see pieces that make sense on this squad and they will always have a chance playing 81 games at Wrigley Field with that crowd behind them.
My ideal starting lineup:
2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ian Happ
RF Seiya Suzuki
DH Trey Mancini
CF Cody Bellinger
1B Eric Hosmer
C Tucker Barnhart
3B Christopher Morel
Pitching Rotation:
Ace- Kyle Hendricks (R)
2- Marcus Stroman (R)
3- Drew Smyly (L)
4- Jameson Taillon (R)
5- Keegan Thompson (R)
GO CUBS GO
-Mr. Peanut
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