As of this writing, today marks the final official Cactus League game for the Cubs. They’ll do a two-game exhibition against the Cardinals, who are traveling west to face the Dodgers amidst all their drama, before the Cubs themselves head a tad east to deal with the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.
Opening Day is just a few days away, and it might be a good time to quickly survey what we’ve observed so far in spring training.
Good Fortune
The Cubs may not always score, but they’ve amassed a winning Cactus League record (not that they fly flags for those things really), and more importantly, have avoided devastating injuries to most of the players who will hopefully help the team to a long awaited postseason berth. The chief injuries to note are with AC’s idol Nick Madrigal, who is currently penciled in to start today’s finale at 3B; Ian Happ, who played after a couple weeks off and now they’re slow playing him in case his hamstring isn’t all the way back yet; Patrick Wisdom, who has a back ailment that I can’t even make fun of because backs are the devil; and Jameson Taillon, who may only miss one or two starts depending on how things go.
I think we can be extremely thankful that Justin Steele still seems ready to start on Opening Day despite getting zapped on his knee by a comebacker. The only major injury is to Caleb Kilian, who had the shoulder muscle issue and will be out until at least mid-season which means another pitcher can snag his roster spot once the Cubs 60-day him. Overall, not terrible all things considered, knock on all the wood.
Good Performances
In their time on the field and working with coaches on the back fields, there have been many glowing reports of Cubs players looking to fly with the team to Texas. Of note is Christopher Morel, who has shown plenty of positives in his third base defense with the requisite learning curve errors thrown in. Seiya Suzuki has been blistering the ball all spring, his countryman Shota Imanaga has shown some nasty offerings in between managing his fastball to ensure it doesn’t end up 500 feet away, and various prospects including Matt Shaw and Ben Brown have given us something to look forward to come midseason or September. I’d say that there is no one likely to make the Opening Day roster that I would vehemently object to at this point.
Good Flexibility
There is built in versatility throughout the lineup, sure, but based on the fact that the Cubs are at the first luxury tax threshold (and effectively are over anyway once they factor in incentives and stuff), it seems like we are going to experience some ride-and-die in the first half and then hopefully reinforcements come the trade deadline whether from within or without. Jordan Montgomery might not be an option much longer since the news wire suggests he’s close to signing, but trades in midseason plus some payroll flexibility prior to the next luxury tax penalties kicking in will be possible.
Good Luck
If Craig Counsell brings some managerial smarts and magic, the Cubs can hopefully swing a few extra close games. The preseason projections show a jumble up top, and even the Pirates could make some noise if their prospects take a step forward, so none of this is a foregone conclusion. But perhaps the ball will bounce our way more often than not, and the Cubs can play as chaos personified.
Comments
Cubs announce officially that Carl and Smith opted out
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1771951097059393627?t=IkyZaLAktsnf5Pn2pkVJFQ&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Madrigal stung the ball but alas right to the first baseman
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ohtani speaks to media tomorrow 👀
https://twitter.com/ByJackHarris/status/1771992060465418411?t=83UqhXUI-Qm1u0ue6YeOIw&s=19
Hope it’s better than whatever Kim Mulkey did
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wish this JMU team was the one that showed up on Friday.
berseliusQuote Reply
Thus Cactus League ends, and so doth my bracket for real
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The aughts are well-represented on my grid today.
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Rarity: 32
IMMACULATE!
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Play at:
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@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
I’ve lost 3 of my final four but hopefully UConn just wins (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
My knowledge is not rare
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 358 9/9:
Rarity: 31
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs initial rotation, knock on wood
Rice CubeQuote Reply
WELP
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Here’s today’s lineup
Happ seems ok to go but we shall see! Also roster news, pending official announcements:
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
#neverforget
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Watching that on SportsCenter was a core memory
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oooh, this is fine, optionable spots too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Related to my earlier Carl’s Jr confusion, I was surprised to see Cuas as a question mark on making the roster. Though I only recently realized that he had an option remaining (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
Seems about right
berselius,
Methinks in that case AZ Phil’s site is a critical bookmark, quite useful since he obsessively tracks this shit
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Boy is this gonna go over well
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
This was the right move, I’m surprised he is saying anything at all. Ohtani and/or his PR person need to get a lawyer into their decision loops more quickly (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Yeah I figure they’ll have to say something and then shut up until the investigation is over, but it’s still lame (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
berselius,
Rice Cube,
How do you take questions when the issue at hand is your former interpreter and your first go-round with the new guy is a legal/PR landmine?
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Oh I get the PR/damage control aspect of this and this is the standard way anyone would do things, it’s hopefully again far better than whatever Kim Mulkey just did, but you know how fans overreact to stuff. Anyway, let’s hear the statement and then overreact later (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I mean, I think the standard way anyone would do this would be . . . “Bro, you want $4 million for what now? Hell no.” Or release a statement last week instead of “I’m going to need to weekend to reflect on what has been going on for the last six months and how I want to talk about it.” It’s all just so weird. The only thing I’m curious about is whether he will read the statement in English or if it will be translated as he reads it.
andcountingQuote Reply
Had a meeting, here’s some new stuff –> https://www.obstructedview.net/nearly-final-best-guess-cubs-opening-day-2024-roster/
Rice CubeQuote Reply