Chicago Cubs: What we know about Cubs Spring Training 2020

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Spring Training is right around the corner. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for the Chicago Cubs as they get ready to report to camp under a new manager.

I was shopping on Christmas Eve for some last minute Chicago Cubs stocking-stuffers for my kids and couldn’t help but notice that stores were already putting out the goods for one of my favorite holidays – Valentine’s Day.

It’s one of my favorites because it reminds me that America’s favorite pastime is about to start again and the team I love best is about to show up for work in Mesa, Arizona for Spring Training.

Some folks want to get right into the season and think this time of year should be cut back or start later, but I disagree. My rationale couldn’t be explained any better than what MLB.com wrote recently  about Spring Training 2020 on their website: 

Spring Training, though nearly as old as the game itself, remains a novel adventure. Unparalleled player access, intimate ballparks with distinct personalities, and up-close encounters with veteran stars and blossoming prospects alike make it truly a unique baseball experience. The sights, sounds and smells of spring arrive just in time for fans emerging from the cold and quiet winter. Many who have been there describe it as the best sports has to offer, the embodiment of the hope and promise of a new season.

Wow! Powerful stuff from for fans of baseball. It certainly can make Cubs fans a little teary-eyed when anyone begins talking about baseball hope and promise; both terms are very near and dear any fan’s heart. Maybe that’s the reason it is special for me.

Chicago been pulling at all the wrong heart strings of fans throughout the offseason.  They’re wondering about new manager David Ross getting last minute crib-notes together from across baseball on how to manage a team or the front office’s lack of enthusiasm for top free agents.

On top of all this drama during the off season and through the winter meetings let’s sprinkle on a little uncertainty of the future with Kris Bryant’s grievance hearing still unsettled. Then there have been the doomsayers who predict we will lose all our good players for nominal return, just so ownership can come up with some cash.

This is just the offseason folks. It’s been frustrating – so let’s look ahead to when hope springs eternal: Spring Training.

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Spring Training 2020

There are two leagues when it comes Spring Training: the Cactus and the Grapefruit Leagues. Chicago belongs to the Cactus League, calling Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona home each spring.

Interestingly enough for those who like to dump on spring training: last season the Grapefruit League had a better record with the top team being the New York Yankees followed by the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.

It’s pretty plain to see that this time of yearcan tell fans a little something about their team and how they might do in an upcoming season. For instance, the Cubs finished fourth in the Cactus League, last season just a half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Teams report in mid-to-late February, but the Cubs have not yet announced their respective dates. Under a new manager, they may be considering all their options as the start day for pitcher and catchers is still listed as TBA in most articles.

Last season, the Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers began on Wednesday Feb. 13, with the rest of the team coming in the following Monday for the first team workout. That was exactly four days before the club’s first preseason game.

The teams that have reported their schedules for 2020 so far, are following the same schedule as the Cubs did last spring season. There are reports that the San Diego Padres (also in the Cactus League with the Cubs) will actually start their pitchers on Monday instead of Wednesday and the team will begin workouts on Saturday instead of Monday giving them a seven-day workout before their first game.

If Chicago follows the patterns of most teams this season, than expect pitchers and catchers to show up on Feb. 11 and have their first workout on Feb 12. The following Monday, Feb. 17 should be the first team workout which is five days before the Chicago Cubs first spring training game.

The team’s first spring training game takes place on Saturday Feb. 22 at home in Sloan Park against the Oakland Athletics. This game is immediately followed by the club’s first road game on Sunday Feb. 23 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs:  More Spring Training 2020 news

Also worth noting, there is no idea what the heck is going on with the new Marquee Network and how that will integrate with Spring Training coverage. They may be planning live broadcasts and interviews from Sloan but there is absolutely no word as of yet.

Last season fans at the complex, were permitted to attend the workouts under former manager Joe Maddon. They were able to watch all their favorite players from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on non-game days. Whether or not that tradition will change under first-year manager David Ross is still unknown.

Speaking of old managers, Ross’ club will face their old skipper in Maddon on Mar. 2 when he visits Sloan Park with his new club, the Los Angeles Angels. On Mar. 14 the Cubs will hit the road and visit the Angels in their home digs.

Chicago opens the regular season on Thursday, Mar. 26 on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. The home opener at the Friendly Confines is set for Monday, Mar. 30 against the Pirates.

Here are some other key MLB dates this 2020 season:

  • Jan. 21, 2020             Hall of Fame voting results announced
  • Feb. 21, 2020            First Spring Training games
  • Feb. 22, 2020            Chicago’s First Spring Training Game (vs. Athletics)
  • March 26, 2020        MLB Opening Day
  • March 30, 2020        Home Opener at a Wrigley Field
  • July 14, 2020             All-Star Game, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Next. Five free agents the Cubs could still sign. dark

It’s almost that time of year. So far, the offseason hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence, but we’ll see what transpires in the coming weeks and hopefully we’ll have some more cause for optimism when the team reports to Mesa next month.

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