Chicago Cubs Begin Spring Training Hungry For Extra: 'The Group Collectively Is Just Trying To Raise The Degree'

MESA, Ariz. —The Chicago Cubs need extra.

Having lastly made a long-awaited return to the postseason and even incomes a collection victory in the wild-card spherical in opposition to the Padres final October, a lofty customary has been reestablished for one in all baseball’s most outstanding franchises. On Monday, forward of their first full-squad exercise, the Cubs spoke of their starvation for a fair deeper postseason run and the way the core that has grown collectively over the previous half-decade is keen for the alternative forward — with some new reinforcements alongside for the trip.

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A 12 months in the past, Cubs camp opened just days after Alex Bregman selected the Boston Red Sox to conclude his first foray into free company, a choice that was felt in Mesa, with Chicago having pursued Bregman to not avail. The Cubs made their very own splash earlier that winter with the acquisition of Kyle Tucker, however Tucker arrived with just one 12 months remaining on his contract, making his presence really feel tenuous even then. A largely profitable season for each participant and group ensued, however the partnership did find yourself being momentary, as Tucker joined the Dodgers this winter.

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But in Bregman’s second journey to the open market, after he opted out of his Red Sox deal, the Cubs received their man. A closely deferred, five-year, $175 million deal introduced Bregman into the fold as a pillar for the franchise — a pointy distinction to Tucker’s arrival the 12 months earlier than. Bregman joins a roster loaded with veterans who’ve already skilled quite a bit collectively and are wanting to take the subsequent step. And after fielding questions on lacking out on Bregman On the first day of exercises final February, Cubs personnel on Monday received to discuss his worth as a teammate.

“I think he fits our team really well,” mentioned outfielder Ian Happ, the longest-tenured Cub. “But I think the group as a whole, we know each other. We know what each other is working on and, you know, what the offseason goals were for everybody. So it’s really fun when you get to put a group back together… that part of it is so exciting because you know what everybody’s capable of, and the group collectively is just trying to raise the level.”

Now a decade faraway from the drought-breaking triumph in 2016, the Cubs’ core — bolstered this winter by Bregman and hard-throwing right-hander Edward Cabrera in the rotation — is not shying away from expectations to ship one other particular season.

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“I think the expectations as a whole for the team are a deep playoff run. But that starts with your process every day,” Happ mentioned. “And you can talk about winning the World Series all you want, but the way you get there is by being really diligent to your process every day and focusing on little things one day at a time. Sounds cliche, but it’s very true.”

Process and endurance are essential ideas, particularly with months and months of baseball forward. But Chicago’s expertise of lastly returning to the October stage has solely amplified the group’s degree of urgency and ambition in 2026. Left-hander Matthew Boyd is coming into his second season with the Cubs, a refreshing little bit of continuity after he bounced amongst three groups the earlier three seasons. Boyd made his first All-Star group at age 34 final 12 months, a exceptional, late-career breakout that instilled some much-needed dependability in Chicago’s rotation. But for all the vital innings Boyd threw in the common season, taking the mound in October left a visceral impression on him that he has carried into his preparation this spring.

“The playoffs are just — they’re addictive, right? Like, you play it, and you go, ‘Man, I want more of that,'” Boyd mentioned. “And I’ve gotten to experience it three out of the last four years now, and it’s something that you don’t want to do. So I think that collectively, we all have that. Collectively, we knew that, like, man, we were more than capable to win that first series and go on and play. And that we weren’t afraid of anybody that was ahead of us.

“But we did not get there. So I believe that the starvation, the feeling of what we received, the place we received — that was superior, however we would like extra. And you then add the guys that we added on this clubhouse. It’s thrilling to know that we’re all going to be collectively working towards that purpose.”

To be sure, last year’s NLDS defeat against the rival Brewers provides more than enough motivation. But the Cubs’ roster — and the contract status of several key players — adds another layer that could contribute to the level of urgency. Boyd, who has a $15 million mutual option for 2027, is one of several key Cubs who can become free agents after this season, along with Happ, starting pitchers Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga, outfielder Seiya Suzuki and second baseman Nico Hoerner. Depending on how the season unfolds, that could be a challenging dynamic to manage. But Hoerner — having been the subject of ample trade speculation this winter — spoke of the collective contractual circumstances as more of an opportunity than an obstacle.

“The cool half is that all of us do share a reasonably superb alternative for this season,” he said. “I believe that is going to be one thing right here plenty of guys discuss. There’s loads of guys who’re of their final 12 months right here, and that is additionally a possibility, although — as a result of we have been lucky to play as a group for some time, and I believe that just it creates pleasure. You do not get to share a locker room with guys, a constant core, quite a bit in the large leagues. And so to have that chance, to have gotten higher and to now be in a spot the place we are able to actually seize that “opportunity is super exciting.”

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On Monday, supervisor Craig Counsell additionally spoke about the delicate stability between gamers arriving at such a essential junction of their careers and tackling the group job at hand.

“Every player’s got a situation. And frankly, if you’re at the point where you’re in a free-agent year, you’re doing pretty good — things have gone pretty well,” he mentioned.

“But I think it’s this teamit’s now. It’s about being present. And what you have the opportunity to accomplish with your friends, with your teammates, with guys that you’ve gone through some different times with — that’s a real opportunity.”

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More information and notes from the Cubs’ first full-squad exercise

Matt Shawdisplaced from his native third base by Bregman’s arrival, shall be taking over extra of a brilliant utility function in his sophomore season, together with spending a while in the outfield. That marks his first publicity to the outfield in professional ball, as he had solely performed second, third and shortstop since becoming a member of the Cubs group as a first-round choose in 2023. But Shaw did play some outfield as a freshman at the University of Maryland and through summer season ball in faculty. He’s additionally in an excellent place to relearn a few of the intricacies of outfield play from stellar defenders similar to Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

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“He’s got some pretty good outfielders to defer to,” Crow-Armstrong mentioned. “I mean, it’s a nice situation for him. It may not be the exact situation he thought he’d be in, but considering the circumstances, I think he’s got a good group to read on, and we’re definitely going to be there for him because it’s not easy having to shift.”

With Happ and Crow-Armstrong entrenched in left and middle, respectively, proper discipline is the pure spot for Shaw to see the most time. While Seiya Suzuki is anticipated to tackle the bulk of right-field reps in the wake of Tucker’s departure, he’ll want some DH days, which might open at-bats for Shaw in the outfield when he is not enjoying the infield.

suzuki is making ready not just for elevated outfield accountability in Chicago but in addition for Samurai Japan as he gears up for the World Baseball Classic. Suzuki needed to take part in the 2023 version however was unable due to an indirect damage, making the upcoming event all the extra thrilling for the 31-year-old slugger. Shohei Ohtani’s presence as the DH ensures that Suzuki shall be in the outfield for Team Japan; precisely which outfield spot stays considerably of an open query due to the different choices on the roster.

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But we received a touch about the place Suzuki is likely to be deployed when his teammate and Team USA outfielder Crow-Armstrong was requested for his ideas on the event and the prospect of enjoying in opposition to Team Japan.

“I’m excited to watch Seiya play center field,” Crow-Armstrong mentioned. “That’ll be really fun. I think it’s a good opportunity for him to show people that he’s a really good defender. And I don’t think he gets enough credit for his abilities out there. So that’ll be fun.”

When requested about his protection and the prospect of enjoying middle in the WBC, Suzuki mentioned by way of interpreter Edwin Stanberry, “I feel like I’ve been moving well. It’s something I worked on in the offseason. And I think getting those reps in, I think that’s going to be beneficial for me in the season, too. And if Pete wants an off-day or something, that’s my chance to play center field.”

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It stays to be seen whether or not Suzuki will begin in middle for Japan — he has began one recreation there in the majors and solely a handful throughout his NPB profession — however it’s not completely implausible. Japan has one pure middle fielder in Ukyo Shuto, however he is totally on the roster for his velocity, and his bat lags far behind the different obtainable outfielders. So if Japan needs to put out its finest lineup, supervisor Hirokazu Ibata would possibly certainly be finest suited placing Suzuki in middle flanked by some mixture of Masataka Yoshida, Kensuke Kondoh and Shota Morishita.

But regardless of the place he is enjoying, Suzuki is enthusiastic about the chance of dealing with off in opposition to his teammate on the tourney.

“I want to see Pete throw his helmet,” Suzuki mentioned with a smirk. “And then if he hits the ball to middle discipline, I would like to ensure I catch it and dance on it.”

— It’s no secret Crow-Armstrong is seeking more consistency at the plate after last season’s severely uneven campaign, which featured a terrific first half followed by a brutal run of poor production down the stretch. But the soon-to-be 24-year-old sees room for improvement beyond the batter’s box, too, even if those elements of his game are already renowned as elite.

“The throwing decisions,” Crow-Armstrong said when asked how he can upgrade as a defender, even while he already rates as one of the game’s best. “I believe that is been form of the kicker my complete profession to this point. Just gave up some further bases final 12 months. Dropping the ego and never feeling like I’m gonna throw somebody out from 300 ft — as a result of I’m not Jackie Bradley. I believe there shall be instances after I can let one free, and the state of affairs may have to name for that. But there’s little moments from final 12 months that I can form of select… decision-making smart. I believe it in all probability wasn’t my strongest go well with.”

Crow-Armstrong was additionally one in all the most impactful baserunners in MLB final season, however he recognized at the least one space for progress on the basepaths as effectively.

“I feel like I could probably steal third base more,” mentioned Crow-Armstrong, who stole second base 31 instances in 2025, tied for ninth in MLB, however stole third on solely 4 events, which ranked twenty fourth. “It’s form of like the throws, selecting your instances… forcing issues is by no means actually going to work in your favor. … But it is enjoying the recreation, selecting your spots, just being slightly extra affected person. I believe I can in all probability apply that to plenty of my recreation proper now.”