There are plenty of new faces in Chicago Cubs and White Sox spring training.
For the White Sox and Cubs alike, it meant a variety of fresh faces and new opportunities.
Counsell assumes command.
It was Craig Counsell’s first official day as the Cubs manager in Mesa, having previously managed the Brewers. The hardest thing to start with, he remarked, is trying to remember names.
“At this moment, no speech has the power to alter the world,” Counsell stated. “I believe that to be a major misperception regarding sports. About it, movies are made. It truly is about us coming together as a group, you know. That is currently the task assigned to us.
The Cubs, who finished one game out of a wild card place, have high expectations for the postseason.
Patrick Wisdom, an infielder, stated that the club is “hungry knowing that we were so close” and that “every game matters.” They are also focused on the small details. That only goes to prove that one game might be the determining factor and that it could come down to the wire. We didn’t take advantage of the fact that it was right in front of us and we were so very close.”
Even though Cody Bellinger is still a free agent, the organization has great hopes.
Ian Happ, an outfielder for the Gold Gloves, stated, “He’s going through process.” “He deserves that. We all support him because we like him as a person, and he has earned the right to be a free agent and go through the entire process, so wherever he ends up, it will be a wonderful scenario for him.”
Pete Crow-Armstrong, a fellow outfielder, declared his “love” for Bellinger.
“That’s my friend, like bottom line,” he replied. “He only ever shown me true kindness. “It’s fantastic if Cody returns,” Crow-Armstrong continued. “It gives us a better chance to win.”
Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ starting pitcher, was arguably the most notable new face on the field. The 30-year-old left-hander spent eight seasons pitching in Japan before joining the MLB. His goal is to feel more at ease in a new nation and with a new squad.
Through a translator, Imanaga stated, “I had some anxieties about the different lifestyle before I left Japan.” “Upon arrival, everyone has been so kind and accepting that I have even forgotten what I was anxious about.”
Putting the previous season behind us
After a 101-loss season, the White Sox’s expectations have decreased due to a significant squad turnover and a change in the executive office.
According to Sox manager Pedro Grifol, the team won’t give up until they are mathematically eliminated this season.
“I don’t [give up hope] really until we come out with 0.00% chance of making the playoffs, right?” he replied. “And that motivates the heck out of me.” He mentioned that this year, nobody is “scheduled to run away” with the A.L. Central Division. While the renovation is underway, it is unclear if star Dylan Cease will stick around.
“Many of those are beyond my control,” Cease remarked. “In the end, all I want to do is perform, no matter where I have to travel. It would be wonderful to be present. I have a lot of wonderful relationships here, as I mentioned.”
Cease acknowledged that he feels fantastic this offseason—this is the first time in a long time that he hasn’t had any tricep discomfort. With a team full of fresh faces, Grifol returned for his second season and is hoping for improved outcomes.
Grifol exclaimed, “I’m loving every minute of it.” “There’s hunger in these people. There is something to play for for everyone. Grifol added, “I don’t think anyone is talking about last year,” reiterating that the team was prepared to move past its difficulties from the previous campaign. To be honest, I don’t know anyone in that clubhouse who is discussing last year.”