Why Cubs have what it takes to be a true contender this season
Nearly an hour after the final out was recorded in the Cubs’ 4-0 win over the Brewers on Opening Day at Wrigley Field, Dansby Swanson was still wearing the blue pinstripes he always dreamed of donning.
Swanson found himself awake in the early hours of Thursday morning and lost in thoughts of his debut to come with the Cubs — the start of a seven-year, $177-million contract that carries such expectations. It all went how he had hoped, and not because of a 3-hit performance that led the way for this lineup.
What mattered most to Swanson for this new chapter in his career was — and always will be — whether the Cubs are winning. Ultimately, that’s what he signed on for in Chicago.
“We got one out of the way but a lot more to go,” Swanson said.
Following consecutive seasons without a playoff berth, the Cubs set course in 2023 with hopes of returning to the postseason — boasting a group of accomplished veterans that fit their coveted style of play, plus a promising young core ready to establish itself.
Swanson will prove to be a key piece as the Cubs look to make those aspirations come to fruition this season. An All-Star, Gold Glove shortstop and World Series champion with the Braves, he found a fit with the Cubs this offseason because of the direction for this organization.
These Cubs have a firm plan in place that’s just starting to take shape. Team president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer sought a lineup loaded with contact hitters, a group of arms that can be molded by the improved pitching infrastructure and a defensive formation with Gold Glove-caliber players all around.
Led by manager David Ross, the Cubs hope to embrace the changes brought to the game of baseball and find success as a result.
“I hope the fan base relates to these players, how they go about their business, how they play, how they go about at-bats, how they compete,” Ross said. “I don’t think there’s a bigger compliment you can get from your fan base than just, ‘I love watching your team play.’ We got some of that end at the back end of last year, just with how the guys went about it.
“The talent level has increased. I want that to be said when we’re in first place and making the playoffs. Winning is what we’re all going to relate to and enjoy. But I want the fan base to see the character of this group and how much they care about representing this uniform and each other in a positive way.”
After parting ways with the 2016 World Series championship core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, Kyle Schwarber and more, the Cubs have just one player left from that team — Kyle Hendricks, the veteran starter who opened the season on the injured list while working his way back from a right shoulder tear.
The Cubs lost 179 games over a pair of challenging last two seasons while Hoyer reshaped this ballclub with “the next great Cubs team” in mind, as he has often termed it. Inside the front office, the manager’s office and certainly that clubhouse, there’s belief that the Cubs are heading towards success once again.
The rival Cardinals are once again the gold standard in the NL Central and Ross acknowledged that’s the team to take down. The Brewers are once again built with a formidable starting rotation and should contend this season. But there’s genuine opportunity for the Cubs to be a contender, both in the division and wild-card race.
“I don’t have a single ounce of doubt in this team,” said Cubs starter Marcus Stroman, who pitched 6 shutout innings Thursday and earned the win. “I’m just excited to go out there and show people what we can do.”
In the top of the 3rd inning of a scoreless game, Stroman was in a bases-loaded jam with one out. He induced a hard-hit bouncer by Brewers cleanup hitter Rowdy Tellez. Nico Hoerner made a sharp turn from deep in the hole and started an inning-ending double play that had him fist-pumping off the field. It was a showcase of the bolstered defense up the middle with Hoerner and Swanson, and it proved to be a pivotal moment in the game.
The Cubs then scored their 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Swanson started a rally with a sharp single to right field. Sound contact and baserunning allowed this lineup to manufacture runs against an elite pitcher in Corbin Burnes.
The Cubs put forth a rounded effort for their first victory of a new season.
“It’s just such a great thing for our team because it gives even more believability in who we are,” Swanson said.
The truth is that the Cubs may still be one year away from truly taking form, when prized prospects like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brennen Davis, Kevin Alcantara, Matt Mervis and more arrive to the majors. But Hoyer has supplied this clubhouse with a group of accomplished veterans with decorated pasts.
When he addressed the Cubs for the first time in Spring Training, Ross reminded the players of the credentials that were present in the clubhouse. He sees the potential for this group.
“Well, we got a former MVP (Cody Bellinger) on the team, so that’s a great player,” Ross said. “I think Ian Happ — an All-Star, Gold Glover, that’s a great player. We’ve got World Series winners all over the field. Eric Hosmer has four Gold Gloves and All-Stars.
“Nico continues to get better. Cody Bellinger had a really good spring and looks really comfortable and has a good way about him. Ian Happ looks just on par for what he was doing last year. Patrick Wisdom looks better. With the addition of Dansby Swanson, all he’s done and a Gold Glove winner — that’s a great player. Trey Mancini has been a great player at times. I think we got a lot of those guys.”
Ross can remind the Cubs that the National League champions from last season, the Phillies, won just 87 games and were the last team to earn a wild-card spot. One year earlier, Swanson was part of a Braves team that won only 87 games before winning the World Series.
Baseball has this way of rewarding teams that play the right way. That’s what the Cubs are confident in doing, and they believe there’s promise ahead.
At the end of his first day wearing blue pinstripes at Wrigley Field, Swanson sees the future even more clear.
“It was just an amazing day, an amazing city, organization,” he said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to be here. I keep saying that over and over again because it’s just the truth.”