Chicago Cubs: Finally, the countdown to Spring Training has begun

We’re only a little under a month away until the Chicago Cubs take the field and prepare for an even better 2016 campaign. Following their elimination from the National League Championship Series, this club is eager to get back to work.

And of course, us fans are excited to see how the newest additions will perform. On Feb. 18, pitchers and catchers will report to Mesa, Arizona only to be followed by the rest of the position players soon after they begin their workouts.

It’ll be exciting to see John Lackey in a full uniform and being able to work with David Ross, Miguel Montero and even Kyle Schwarber throughout March leading into April.

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Last spring the league both Schwarber and Kris Bryant started off the year as prospects, putting in work before they were optioned to minor league camp. This time around, they have starting positions on the 25-man roster locked up.

This time around, Albert Almora and a handful of non-roster invitees have the opportunity to show the rest of the league what they have to offer. Most of those who were invited are only three or four years away from making their big league debuts either with the Cubs themselves or another franchise.

On March 3, the Cubs will be on the road taking on the Milwaukee Brewers only to come back to Sloan Park that weekend as they are scheduled to host both the Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds.

That Saturday match-up against Mike Trout and the Angels will be a preview of Opening Day. Surely, veteran first baseman Albert Pujols will be thrilled to be playing against a team that he has manhandled for the majority of his career.

The only difference is, those Cubs team’s he used to hammer were not as dangerous as the one’s who will visit him in Los Angeles.

Here’s some more you may have missed from Cubbies Crib and around the league:

‘Cubs: Obversing regression in 2016‘ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs: When (or) will Albert Almora make his Cubs debut?‘ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs: Which free agent signing will they regret?‘ – Cubbies Crib

‘Alvaraez, Profar among 5 players at crossroads‘ – MLB.com

‘MLB unveils Flex Base designs‘ – MLB.com