MESA, Ariz. — Many Cubs players have commented on the number of teammates already present at camp, but there’s still a buzz around the players who could be there later this spring.

“It kinda does [feel like the offseason],” second baseman Nico Hoerner said. “As an individual, it feels like things are picking up, but on the team sense, I think definitely there’s a lot up in the air for us and a lot of teams in baseball right now with the amount of talent that’s still out there.”

Hoerner, like the rest of the players who have arrived early, is ramping up for the 2024 season, but is fully aware that the roster on Feb. 13 isn’t likely to be the same as the one that takes the field on Opening Day against the Rangers in about six weeks.

“You always want the best version of your team that you can have,” Hoerner said. “Obviously as a group of players, we’re gonna be confident and make the most of whatever that is. But anything that’s gonna help us win is obviously gonna be a good move.”

The player on many people’s minds, of course, is Cody Bellinger. The catalyst for the Cubs’ offense last season remains a free agent and is the type of acquisition that could really boost the Cubs’ chances of making the playoffs.

Last season, the team finished 83-79, missing the playoffs by a game. Many projection systems — including PECOTA and FanGraphs — have the Cubs pegged to win around 80 games, a 3-game drop-off from last season. A reunion with Bellinger, or another free-agent bat is just the type of move that would enhance their odds.

But Hoerner wouldn’t go out and advocate for Bellinger’s return as his double-play teammate Danbsy Swanson did at Cubs Convention last month.

"Before we get to next year, we've got to resign Belli."

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) January 13, 2024

“Different routes, I guess,” Hoerner said with a smile. “We both feel the same way.”

New manager, familiar faces

The addition of Craig Counsell as manager remains arguably the team’s biggest acquisition of the offseason, but he kept most of the Cubs coaching staff in place.

“It’s nice ‘cause it doesn’t feel like a total revamp,” Hoerner said. “In the cage, I’m seeing familiar faces and I’m doing infield work with [staff assistant] Jonathan Mota who I’ve worked with since when I was drafted in 2018. Those kinds of long-standing relationships are really, really nice to have and very grounding, but also nice to have kind of a new level of accountability with new people and getting to know them.

“I think that’s really valuable.”

One of the new faces, though, is bench coach Ryan Flaherty. He was the Padres bench coach last season and was on Field 1 on Tuesday, participating in fielding drills with some Cubs players.

“Nice to have a lefty fungo around. It’s a valuable little asset like that,” Hoerner said. “We’re gonna start getting into this staff moreso coming up, but have heard great things from some friends on the Padres about just the kind of person [Flaherty] is. It’ll be fun.”

Who’s on first?

Since the Cubs acquired Michael Busch last month in a trade from the Dodgers, the team has made no secret that he’ll receive an opportunity to man first base for the Cubs.

Tuesday, Busch was out on Field 1 taking reps at the position before the rest of the fielders with Flaherty, Mota and other Cubs coaches.

Things could change. If Bellinger were to return, he could factor into the position. But Busch is taking his reps.

“I think that position is really underrated in baseball, defensively,” Hoerner said. “Just sharing the side of the field with another person, you just kinda get used to the spacing and the different shift positions. We haven’t gotten too far into that yet, but just personality wise [it’s] gonna be really easy to get along with and just his track record is great, the work that he’s done the last two years has been really impressive. Excited to see him every day.”