The Chicago Cubs enter the 2024 season with high hopes after failing to make the postseason last year. Despite missing the playoffs, the Cubs showed promise and left optimism they can continue to grow together as a team.
Not much changed this winter in terms of the roster.
Their biggest addition was starting pitcher Shota Imanaga, and with Cody Bellinger re-signing, most of the same roster returns.
Craig Counsell took over as the manager and will be tasked with improving Chicago as they look to take that next step.
The Bellinger situation could've made them distracted.
Players potentially had jobs to lose if Bellinger re-signed, while the rest of the team wants to win and would welcome the MVP back. At the end of the day, this is a business and players have to worry about themselves.
However, Dansby Swanson said that wasn't the case.
According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Swanson was impressed by the way his teammates reacted to this, saying it was "very refreshing" that his teammates blocked out the noise of either landing or missing out on the former MVP this offseason.
Everyone on the roster has said the right things this winter and spring.
The Cubs finally seem to have an identity again, something that was missing for a few seasons after winning the World Series in 2016.
This year can serve as another step in the right direction as they look to clinch a postseason spot. While there's talent on the roster, a move or two at the deadline could put Chicago in a great position in the second half of the year if they can perform in the first half.
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