02/11/26 01:30:00
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02/11 13:28 CST Ten years after winning World Series, Cubs enter 2026 with
similar expectations
Ten years after winning World Series, Cubs enter 2026 with similar expectations
By DAVID BRANDT
AP Baseball Writer
MESA, Ariz. (AP) --- The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 92-win season, return
much of a productive and athletic lineup, have a deep group of talented
pitchers and signed three-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman during the
offseason.
It's safe to say elite expectations will be back at Wrigley Field this summer.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn't shy away from that reality Wednesday before
the team's first official spring training workout for pitchers and catchers.
Addressing reporters for the first time in Arizona, he said "everybody works
really hard to create a team like this."
"You work really hard to build a roster that has expectations," Counsell said.
"You work really hard to get on a team that has expectations. That's what we
want. We're truly excited."
It's been nearly 10 years since the Cubs beat the Cleveland Guardians for the
World Series title in 2016. The franchise has stayed competitive since ---
making the playoffs four times, including last season --- but hasn't been able
to recreate the magic or talent that famously snapped 108 years of futility.
This roster might represent its best chance.
The lineup is relatively young but has experience, headlined by Pete
Crow-Armstrong, Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch and Seiya
Suzuki. Adding Bregman --- a two-time World Series champion --- on a $175
million, five-year deal should make them even more formidable.
The 31-year-old Bregman hit .273 with 18 homers and 61 RBIs in 114 games last
season.
"We've added a really good baseball player who is just passionate about the
game," Counsell said. "It's fun to be around people like that. We have a lot of
people like that. So I think, from that perspective, he fits in."
The Cubs also still have Matt Shaw, who had a good rookie season at third base
and now is expected to move into a super-utility role because of Bregman's
arrival. Shaw played good defense at third and hit .226 with 13 homers and 44
RBIs, overcoming a slow start at the plate and showing considerable improvement
during the season's second half.
The 24-year-old has spent most of his baseball career at third or second, but
he has also dabbled in the outfield. Counsell said Shaw will get more work in
the outfield this spring as they try and make him as versatile as possible.
"Matt's got a fun challenge ahead of him," Counsell said. "That's how I see it
and I think that's how he sees it."
Chicago's starting rotation could also be a strength with newcomer Edward
Cabrera --- who was acquired in a trade with the Marlins --- joining Matthew
Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Cade Horton. Cabrera went 8-7 with a
3.53 ERA in a career-high 26 starts and 137 2/3 innings last year.
The 24-year-old Horton is entering his second season after a fantastic rookie
year. The right-hander was 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA, though he missed the
postseason with a rib injury.
"There's still a lot to prove," Horton said. "Now guys have a scouting report
on me, they know my stuff. It's all about going out there and executing
pitches, giving our team a chance to win."
The Cubs' bullpen --- as it is for almost every team in the big leagues --- is
a work in progress. Counsell did provide a mild surprise on Wednesday by
confirming that Daniel Palencia would be team's closer if the season started
today.
Palencia was very good last season with a 2.91 ERA and 22 saves, and Counsell
envisions a similar role in 2026, though he also said the team must remain
flexible.
"There's always going to be surprises in that area of your team," Counsell
said. "That's how it's going to work."
But overall, the Cubs have more certainty about their potential 26-man roster
than most teams. Cubs' President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer said this was
"the best kind of spring training" because there was so much optimism and
hunger to improve on last season's success.
"I know the expectations are high --- which is great," Hoyer said. "The
excitement in camp is palpable. The players are talking about it, the coaches
are talking about it. They're excited about our group."
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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