Cubs move eyeing competition at ‘winnable’ NL Central

With six weeks left for pitchers and catchers to report, this is clear for the Cubs based on their offseason moves. They are seriously considering competing in 2023.

“I’ve been around long enough to realize that I don’t make certain moves unless I start looking in a winning direction,” Cubs last week.

And that’s the point.

Team president Jed Hoyer said the Cubs “absolutely” want to play in 2023 after last season. did.

Hosmer was released by the Red Sox last month. That means the Padres, who turned him over to Boston at the trade deadline last season, are now responsible for the remaining three years and $39 million contract.

Whoever signed Hosmer was only interested in league minimums, and the 12-year veteran chose the Cubs.

At the very least, Hosmer’s move is an upgrade from last season’s Cubs first baseman, following the addition of Bernhardt, Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Jameson Tyrone, Brad Boxberger and Drew Smiley.

“If you’re looking to continue rebuilding or you’re ready to tear it down, I don’t think you’re going out and signing Dunsby or chasing a guy like Cody Bellinger,” Bernhardt said. said, introduced to the media in Chicago on Wednesday. “I don’t think so.

“David’s Way” [Ross] If you ask me, the eyes [on] Compete in your division. I think we all feel that NL Central is a winning division. I mean, I don’t think it’s news to anyone. The Cardinals will be fine. The Brewers will do well and it’s clear where the Reds and Pirates are.”

It’s also clear that the vision for next season starts with pitching and defense.

Two-time Gold Glove winner Barnhart joins esteemed veteran Yann Gomez on the catch depth charts. According to a conversation with Ross, Barnhart said the two planned to split their time behind the plate.

Bellinger and Swanson each have a gold glove on their resume. Nico Horner slips down to second after he was a finalist for the 2020 Gold Glove Awards. Ian Happ won the Gold Glove last season and Seiya Suzuki won his 3rd in Japan.

In rotation, the Cubs with Smiley back have all the starters except Wade Miley, who is returning from a group that finished third in ERA after last season’s All-Star break — adding Tyrone to the mix. .

“The way the team is built, I think we try to hit, it’s centered around pitching and defense,” Barnhart said. “When baseball’s offensive side has its ups and downs during the season, I think that’s what keeps us winning.

“If you can prevent conceding goals, you participate in a lot of ball games. In baseball, like in other sports, a single bounce can decide whether you win or lose a game. I think if you’re in the game, anything can happen.”

This doesn’t mean there aren’t any questions around the Cubs, such as what comes from Bellinger, Hosmer, and the entire offense that lost Wilson Contreras this winter. Candidate for the division title.

But at least the roster has improved and looks much more competitive than last season when the Cubs’ playoff chances sank in June.

“The way we talked about it was very positive about moving towards victory,” Barnhart said. “That was one of the things that drew me to Chicago, to play meaningful baseball in the second half of the season and into September.

“I think that’s all you could ask for for anyone or a player in my position, or the big leagues in general.”

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