MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs have officially started their spring training, with pitchers and catchers taking part in the first workout held Wednesday. Entering the new season with strong confidence, the team is ready to face the challenges ahead, aiming to build on recent success and meet elevated expectations as they prepare for the coming Major League Baseball season.
The Cubs spring training is set against the backdrop of last year’s 92-win season and a National League Division Series appearance, which have raised the bar for this group. The team’s leadership acknowledges the pressure and hunger that come with these high standards as they prepare to compete.
Leadership Emphasizes the Importance of Setting and Meeting Goals
Manager Craig Counsell stressed the significance of openly discussing the team’s goals.
“If you don’t talk about them they’re not real, so we’ve got to absolutely talk about our goals,”
he said. Counsell highlighted that expectations are a product of hard work and dedication, reflecting pride in the progress made.
“Everybody in this industry wants expectations. You work hard to get expectations. … You work really hard to build a roster that has expectations, work really hard to get on a team that has expectations. So that’s what we want.”
Echoing that sentiment, Counsell added,
“We’re truly excited that we have expectations. It’s not easy to get them.”
This candid acknowledgement signals the team’s readiness to meet these heightened demands head-on.
President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer also shared insight into the team’s mindset. “There’s unfinished business,” he said, describing the sense of hunger that fuels the Cubs.
“In a lot of ways, that’s the best kind of spring training when there’s hunger. So I think the expectations don’t create anxiety, they create hunger with this group, and this group’s excited to get started.”
Roster Strength and Key Additions Position Cubs as Contenders
Unlike previous seasons when the Cubs were seen as underdogs, this year they arrive at spring training firmly in contention. With the majority of their starting position players returning and notable new acquisitions, the Cubs are regarded as one of Major League Baseball’s top teams. The high-profile signing of third baseman Alex Bregman replaces outgoing star Kyle Tucker, providing a proven talent to reinforce the lineup. On the mound, the rotation has been strengthened by the addition of hard-throwing right-hander Edward Cabrera.
Veteran pitcher Jameson Taillon observed a shift in attitude among players this spring.
“This is not a place now where guys are coming to necessarily just hope they can steal some playing time — we have a good reputation on the coaching side and the development side, but I also think guys come here now expecting to win, which is a cool shift to see and feel,”
Taillon said. He described the atmosphere as focused and determined:
“The work seems different than years’ past. I know it’s a spring training cliché, but guys show up and it doesn’t seem as rah-rah exciting, it seems more like let’s-get-to-work exciting, if that makes sense, so it should be an exciting year.”
Injury Status and Player Availability Entering Camp
Camp began with a mostly healthy group, providing a positive outlook for the early part of the season. Left-handed pitcher Justin Steele is progressing in recovery from elbow surgery performed last April and has started throwing off the mound, though he is not expected to be ready for opening day. The Cubs have not set a firm timeline for his return but anticipate he could join the rotation early in the season.
However, not all players were present at the initial workout. Right-hander Trent Thornton, a nonroster invitee, is still recovering from an Achilles injury and is behind in his preparation. Additionally, catcher Moisés Ballesteros, right-hander Javier Assad, and catcher Christian Bethancourt were delayed due to visa issues but are expected to arrive shortly.
Building Depth to Prepare for the Long Season
Creating roster depth remains critical for the Cubs, addressing potential challenges posed by injuries or performance dips. The front office, led by Jed Hoyer, has emphasized adding players who can provide reliable backup at key positions.
“I felt like last year, if you kind of look at the way the end of the season went and the postseason, it felt like we got thin from a starting pitching standpoint,”
Hoyer stated.
“Continuing to add these arms because you don’t know how things are going to play out and you’ve got to make sure you have enough arms.”
Hoyer explained the constant effort to anticipate potential pitfalls.
“Our job is to think about every pitfall and every issue, and we try to do it every day, and we’re still doing that now. We’ll be on the phone with agents today talking about various players that are still out there that can add depth and help alleviate those challenges.”
Evaluating the Bullpen and Competition for Roles
One of the key areas under review during spring training is the bullpen, both in terms of who will fill roles at the start of the regular season and who may step in during the year. While the bullpen was a major asset during the postseason, this offseason saw considerable changes. Only two significant relievers — Daniel Palencia and Caleb Thielbar — return, leaving questions about who will emerge to handle high-leverage innings.
General Manager Carter Hawkins highlighted the uncertainty and potential within the bullpen group.
“The potential upside of those guys and which one will be the next guy that hits, which one’s the guy that’s going to be throwing in the sixth, seventh inning and high-leverage situation for us, we don’t know yet,”
Hawkins said.
“But we feel really confident that out of the group there’s some guys that are going to hit that way, and we’re really looking forward to seeing them in competition and being able to get a better sense.”
He added,
“But a lot of the guys that broke camp last year in that bullpen weren’t in that bullpen in October, so we also understand that a lot of things will change there.”
Maintaining a Focused and Hardworking Team Energy in Camp
The atmosphere at spring training reflects a collective commitment to daily preparation and teamwork, setting the tone for the season ahead. Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged both the excitement and seriousness of opening day:
“Everybody works really hard to create a team like this. So, it’s a bit ceremonial. Obviously nothing crazy is happening today, but it’s fun to get at least the first group of pitchers and catchers started.”
As the Cubs continue their preparations in Mesa, Arizona, this initial phase will be vital for shaping their approach, solidifying roles, and reinforcing their status as playoff contenders. How they perform in spring training will influence decisions throughout the season and help ensure they are able to meet the big expectations placed upon them.
