I don’t want to make a huge deal out of this because the players could easily disagree or there could be empirical evidence this is a stupid thing to complain about. But frankly I don’t have a choice after seeing this home spring training schedule announced and immediately wondering where all the games went? Last year the Cubs played 34 spring training games.
This year they go to Tokyo for the MLB season opener against the Dodgers on March 18th. It will be inconvenient but fun to wake up for 5am baseball back-to-back days although I heavily suspect we’ll be significant underdogs in both games. Chances of an 0-2 start are much higher than I prefer when you consider everything, which is exactly what I want to do right now.
The Cubs are sacrificing 10 spring training games which I hate because we need the bullpen getting reps in mid March. We don’t need live game situations and injuries and anything that can take away from the bullpen building their shit up. And as I type this, there’s no indication the Cubs are going to leave players behind to prepare for the season. My understanding is that the whole club is going to Tokyo, which throws a huge wrench into a younger players preparation.
I may sound like I’m overreacting and I’m sure in a sense I am for some individual players. There’s definitely guys that won’t be impacted, but I think they’re few and fare between. And for now I’m only talking pitchers. Nevermind the fact we got PCA and Matt Shaw slated to be every day guys and they absolutely need maximum reps in March vs. traveling across the country to see Shohei Ohtani juicing 103.
I know it’s a good experience. I know they’ll have fun and the boys are ready to compete in those two games. I know all that.
My concern is two months from now when we have a handful of shoddy bullpen options that started the season behind the curve on their development path because they got jet lag at a time everyone else is taking luxury touring busses between Phoenix suburb under development-first settings. that’s my longwinded concern in a nutshell.
Again and again – I know I could be overreacting but I’m also very sensitive coming off last year’s disastrously embarrassing season. We only have one year with Kyle Tucker to turn Tom Ricketts around on spending mega contracts and we have a small window with elite starting pitching. Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ should be in prime seasons while Nico Hoerner and Seiya play for the next contract. Mix in some younger hungry guys and the most expensive manager in MLB history and there’s a good argument that the time to be urgent is right now.
So in that spirit and sense, I’m annoyed we’re losing 10 spring training games to play the World’s best team on their best player’s native turf. And while I know Seiya and Shota will be welcomed warmly, I also see it as a home game for Ohtani the same way I see a Wrigley 1:20 against the Brewers: rowdy but not rude.
Ultimately I won’t care if we play to potential and win the division. So let’s just do that and hopefully forget I ever wrote this blog.