Chicago Cubs: Top 5 Storylines as we head into Spring Training

Chicago Cubs: We’d like to see a whole lot of this swing right here in 2019

Bryant is a perennial All-Star and former MVP.  When his left shoulder was injured in a head-first slide in 2018, he was never quite the same and ultimately lost about a third of the season.

If Bryant returns to form, which everyone expects, it will be akin to the blockbuster offseason Free Agent pick-up the Cubs didn’t get.  A 30 home run, 100 RBI, 100 run season from a guy who plays a good third base and gets on base at a .400 clip solidifies the middle of the Cubs’ order and makes everyone better.  It also gives Joe Maddon a foundational piece to cement at third base almost every single night.

As with Chatwood, Bryant’s swing and power will be on display early in Spring Training, and fans will be able to see whether it looks like the old KB or the injured guy who wore #17 last season.

Regardless of how any of these issues play out in Spring Training, it’s also best to keep in mind that it’s still just Spring Training and the Cubs will be a good ball club even if some of these issues don’t work themselves out the way fans would like.   Then again, with some of these issues, it’ll be very clear if they will continue to be issues or storylines as 2019 progresses.