2 former Cubs failing miserably in spring training, 2 who are dominating

The Chicago Cubs will open the domestic schedule on Friday in an 0-2 hole after getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo Series and the final spring training games will serve as a set of final tune-ups and adjustments for Craig Counsell's crew.

Justin Steele will make his second start of the year on Friday night opposite Zac Gallen in Phoenix, and you can bet it'll be all eyes on Kyle Tucker to see if he can shake off a slow spring training and help the Cubs persevere through a brutal stretch of schedule to start the season. While there aren't any former Chicago players on the Diamondbacks' roster, we'll see plenty of familiar faces throughout the year.

Let's take a look at a pair of former Cubs who have thrived this spring with new clubs and two who aren't showing many signs of live as Cactus and Grapefruit League action winds down.

2 former Cubs failing miserably in spring training, 2 who are dominating

Andrew Chafin is failing miserably

After lingering on the open market until late February, veteran left-hander Andrew Chafin was forced to settle for a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers. A vocal contingent of Cubs fans wanted a reunion with the 34-year-old, but if his spring performance is any indication, Jed Hoyer may have dodged a bullet here.

Entering action Saturday, Chafin had made five appearances and carries an ungodly 18.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and 13.5 BB/9. Those aren't the type of numbers the Tigers were hoping for when they brought him back this spring - and his showing this spring may keep him from cracking the 26-man roster and enjoying a third season in the Motor City.

Cody Bellinger is dominating

I hope Cody Bellinger absolutely balls out hitting behind Aaron Judge in the Bronx this season. The Yankees announced he'll be the team's everyday #3 hitter - and he should get plenty of chances to be a run producer hitting behind the reigning AL MVP.

He's been on another level this spring, slashing .465/.511/.791 with eight of his 20 base hits going for extra bases. The Cubs cried poor and dumped his contract this winter, then failed to re-invest the savings on legitimate roster improvements - and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him play with a chip on his shoulder and thrive in the Big Apple.

Kris Bryant is failing miserably

Kris Bryant hit one booming home run this spring - and it gave us all the tiniest glimmer of hope that the former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP might finally be back. But the numbers suggest a very different story.

The recipient of the largest contract in Colorado Rockies history is batting just .148/.303/.296 this spring - and there's little to suggest he's going to turn the corner and get his career back on track this year. There are still four years left on that mega-contract but, more than anything, Cubs fans want to see KB healthy and back at his best.

Willson Contreras is dominating

Willson Contreras' time with the St. Louis Cardinals has been eventful, to say the least. The latest chapter in that story has the longtime backstop moving out from behind the plate to become the Redbirds' full-time first baseman.

It's scary to think about what he could be offensively without the wear-and-tear of catching every day and if his spring numbers are a sign of things to come, he could be a big problem for NL Central pitchers this year. Contreras has been downright dominant this spring, slashing .389/.500/.556 - posting an OPS north of 1.000. Chalk that one up under 'things we hate to see'.