As winter gives way to the early stages of spring, the Chicago Cubs are gearing up for the upcoming season.
With pitchers and catchers already in camp and position players scheduled to join shortly before the team’s first Cactus League game on Feb. 23, the focus shifts from offseason speculation to on-field preparation.
Jed Hoyer, addressing the media at Sloan Park, acknowledged the transition and reaffirmed the organization’s confidence in its roster depth. While questions persist about the Cubs’ involvement in pursuing remaining free agents, Hoyer remained noncommittal, emphasizing the team’s cautious approach.
“The closer’s definitely warming up at this point. There’s a lot of good free agents out there. Certainly, it’s been a late-evolving offseason so everyday we’re in contact with different free agents and we may well add one or more players to the roster but at this point, as we sit down and think about it, it is Feb. 14. It is day one of spring training and we’re trying to focus on the guys who are here.”
Among the lingering topics from last month’s Cubs Convention is the status of Cody Bellinger, a player of keen interest to the fanbase. While acknowledging Bellinger’s talent, Hoyer reiterated the organization’s stance of fiscal prudence, especially in light of concerns surrounding the player.
Bellinger’s previous success on a short-term contract with the Cubs adds complexity to the ongoing negotiation with his agent, Scott Boras.
The team’s needs at third base and the lack of left-handed power remain significant concerns. The combination of Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom is slated to handle third base duties for the upcoming season, although speculation persists about potential upgrades.
Matt Chapman, another notable Boras client, is among the unsigned players who could address these needs, despite the emergence of infield prospect Matt Shaw as a potential long-term solution.
Reflecting on the disappointment of last season’s September collapse, Hoyer acknowledged a lingering sense of dissatisfaction among fans and the organization. Yet, as a new season beckons, the question remains whether the Cubs will leverage their financial resources to attract top-tier talent.
With uncertainty lingering, Chicago Cubs fans are left to wait and see how the team navigates the evolving landscape of free agency.
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