New faces arrive at Cubs camp, but are more on the way?
MESA, Arizona Shota Imanaga hesitated before entering the Cubs’ clubhouse through a side entrance. The pitcher turned to face a small gathering of supporters, one of whom was grinning and brandishing a shirt for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars Imanaga. He promised to be back soon.
Imanaga left the Cubs complex after his exercise on Tuesday morning, emerging a little later and signing autographs for a bit.
Most of the Chicago team, including the position players, was already in Arizona on the day of the first formal session for pitchers and catchers.
And although the returnee group of the North Siders, together with the newcomers like Imanaga, have officially begun Spring Training, there’s still a feeling that the group is lacking something.
Even though batting practice and drills were taking place on the sun-drenched diamonds, many well-known free agents were still available, making it difficult to shake the stigma of the ‘offseason’.
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner stated,
“It feels like things are picking up as an individual.” Given the amount of talent that is still available, “but from a team perspective, there’s a lot up in the air for us and a lot of teams in baseball right now.
“Moreover, I don’t believe it significantly alters the individual works. But it’s evident that if some more well-known figures become engaged, things start to fall into place.
Let’s get right to it: Cody Bellinger is among the players that are still active. After a spectacular season with the Cubs on a one-year contract the previous year, he is still a good match for a team that could use his defensive flexibility and lefty bat.
Then Hoerner laughed and added,
“Yeah, we can say his name.” “All I can hope for is that he gets what he deserves and that this process is what he wants.” He’s been an excellent colleague, exceeding your expectations. Of course, it would be wonderful to have him here.
The attention will be on the fresh faces at Cubs camp unless something changes.
The biggest change comes in the leadership structure, which now includes new manager Craig Counsell and a few new voices on his coaching staff.
Imanaga joined Chicago via a four-year, $53 million deal to help strengthen the rotation. Rookie Michael Busch was acquired from the Dodgers and will get a shot at the first-base vacancy. Veteran relievers Yency Almonte and Hector Neris were added to help the bullpen.
Alzolay said the bullpen should benefit from having someone like Neris, who has logged at least 70 appearances (not including playoff outings) in three straight years. Alzolay also said he recently spent time poring through clips of Imanaga’s outings in Japan with Yokohama and was getting excited about seeing the lefty pitch for the Cubs.
“I like his energy,” Alzolay said. “I love how fired up he gets.”
They join a core group — Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Jameson Taillon, and Hoerner representing a cast signed through at least 2026 — intent on reaching the playoffs in ‘24 after narrowly missing the cut last year.
The Cubs looked like a playoff team heading into September but slid out of contention over the final three weeks.
“I feel like we are all carrying a chip on our shoulder,” Alzolay said. “When you don’t make it into the postseason, it was really in my mind the whole offseason. I was like, ‘It just can’t happen again. We’ve got to be there next year.’ I just feel like the whole team has the same mentality.”
