Hey now. The players are in camp, except for a couple, who (as far as I know) are still having visa trouble. They’ll actually play a competitive game this week.
I don’t know about you, but I’m studio-tanned, restless, and ready-to-wear. I’m in the best shape of my life (round) except for my hand, which is going to take a month or so to heal, so playing guitar is out, typing is, um, interesting, and my wallet, which is soon to be $150 thinner when MLB.TV renews.
But those are small things. Baseball is back. I’m of the coterie that believes next year is toast so, from my perspective, there’s much more at stake and I shall be especially attentive. That makes the window of contention 2026 unless that toast lands butter-side-up, and I have little faith in Bruce Meyer and no faith whatsoever in Rob Manfred getting that done.
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- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): PCA, Bregman tout stacked Team USA. “I mean, how can you put together a better roster than what we’ve got?” Crow-Armstrong said.
- Bradford Doolittle (ESPN*): MLB 2026: Why your team didn’t do what you wanted this winter. “… for baseball fans, spring has sprung early.”
- Paul Niemiec (North Side Baseball*): Chicago Cubs non-roster invitees: Breaking down everyplayer invited to Spring Training. “Let’s see who else is in camp outside of the players you already know.”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): How lefty Shota Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs are planning to tweak his arsenal for a bounce-back season. “I’m very excited for Shota to have an outstanding season,” manager Craig Counsell said.
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Three relievers looking to bounce back as the Cubs look for their next surprise. “Part of the fun of spring training is trying to figure out which performances are real and which aren’t.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs get camp debuts from top pitching prospect … and Sir Charles! “NBA legend Barkley stops by while Wiggins hits the mound to kick off 1st Spring Training.“
- Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): What Pete Crow-Armstrong can learn from Cubs and Team USA teammate Alex Bregman. “Bregman joined the Cubs this offseason with a glowing reputation for his leadership skills.” Jordan Bastian has more*.
Food For Thought:
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