Cubs Spring Training News Roundup: WBC Stars Shine, Happ's Free Agency, Thoughts From Ballesteros

[RavenCub30]

Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

While the progress continues for the Chicago Cubs at their Arizona home, the much-anticipated World Baseball Classic is off and running in Tokyo, Japan. Last season, a different-look Cubs squad commenced their regular season in the same venue opposite the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers. The Tokyo Dome is playing host to some of the game's best, including standouts from your North Side ball club.

Fans of this baseball team want a lot out of its stars, especially newbie Alex Bregman, and de facto squad leader Pete Crow-Armstrong. Both have been electric so far in the international tournament. During two recent exhibition tilts versus big league clubs, Bregman drilled two no-doubt home runs, igniting the hopes of Red Line riders across the city of Chicago. Elsewhere, Crow-Armstrong looks as good as ever, both at the plate and patrolling center field for the American squad in the WBC. To this point, Crow-Armstrong looks like he's in mid-season form.

In terms of rumors surrounding the franchise, it's hard to ignore what's going on in left field. Veteran Ian Happ is synonymous with the Chicago Cubs franchise. A true lifer in this organization, Happ is a tremendous ambassador for the city, but as he volunteered, his time in the blue pinstripes may soon be drawing to an end. "It’s been a true honor for me to represent this great city, organization, and fan base," Happ said. "The reality of this is, you can’t control if the team wants you back. It's totally plausible another chapter elsewhere awaits me."

During his nine years with the North Siders, Happ famously stipulated a no-trade clause on his contract, but with a crowded list of prospects ready for opportunities in left field, it appears Chicago is ready to move on from the Gold Glover, now that he's on the wrong side of 30. 

Of the myriad pleasant surprises from the Cubbies' 2025 campaign, the arrival of Moises Ballesteros was arguably the most pleasing. With a .394 OBP, "Mo Baller" came through in key situations during his club's playoff push. As an encore, Ballesteros, 22, looks to deliver more behind the plate and "prove people wrong," as to the extent of his capabilities. 

Soon, music will blare from the rooftops up and down Sheffield Avenue and the surrounding areas near the Cubs' home of Wrigley Field. There are no awards handed out for who can practice the best, but the improvements and implications of the North Siders' performances this spring prove that many coveted accolades could come in time.

View full article