The Chicago Cubs are gearing up for an exciting 2026 season, and the buzz is palpable! The team enters spring training with a renewed sense of optimism and a roster that has fans and players alike dreaming big.
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, a new father, has had less time for off-season texts with baseball operations president Jed Hoyer, but his faith in the team's direction remains strong. While Swanson was busy welcoming his daughter with wife Mallory, Hoyer was busy revamping the team's lineup. The front office made significant moves, bolstering the bullpen, enhancing the rotation, and signing veteran third baseman Alex Bregman to fill the void left by right fielder Kyle Tucker's departure.
Swanson, despite his reduced communication, is impressed with the team's strategy. He applauds the bullpen additions and the trade for Edward Cabrera, who is emerging as a standout pitcher. But the signing of Bregman, a former teammate of Swanson's on the 2014 USA collegiate national team, is the icing on the cake.
Every spring training brings a wave of optimism, but the Cubs have concrete reasons to believe in their improved roster. The team's recent success, including a wild-card series win over the Padres last October, has shifted the culture. Right-hander Jameson Taillon, who started that pivotal Game 3, believes the Cubs have set a new standard: making the playoffs consistently.
Although the Cubs fell short in the NLDS, losing to the Brewers in Game 5, they are determined to build on that momentum. The goal is to win the division and secure a first-round playoff bye, which eluded them last season. However, the Brewers, despite trading ace Freddy Peralta to the Mets, remain a formidable rival, having consistently dashed the Cubs' division title hopes in recent years.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell reflects on the excitement of the playoffs and the desire to go further, emphasizing the importance of capturing that 'whole thing.' While the loss of Tucker and top prospect Owen Caissie will impact the offense, the Cubs have achieved two crucial goals: adding a top-tier starting pitcher and signing Bregman, a move Swanson had advocated for last year.
Left fielder Ian Happ shares Swanson's enthusiasm, acknowledging the team's potential last year and the momentum they can build upon. The Cubs' front office has made strategic moves, and the players are eager to see the results on the field.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Swanson's request to bring in Bregman last year fell on deaf ears due to budget constraints. Now, with the Ricketts family's approval, Bregman is on board, and the team's future looks brighter. And this is the part most people miss—the delicate balance between player aspirations, front office decisions, and the financial realities of the sport.
As the Cubs gather in Mesa, Arizona, for spring training, the excitement is palpable. Will they live up to the high expectations? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the Cubs are ready to write a new chapter in their storied franchise, and the baseball world is watching with bated breath.
