Cubs manager Craig Counsell states the obvious in his first spring training comments

It's that time of the year when hope springs eternal and optimism reigns supreme. I'm, of course, talking about spring training. The Chicago Cubs saw pitchers and catchers report on Super Bowl Sunday - the earliest report date of any team this year - due to the team taking on the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo Series next month.

With the arrival of players - and manager Craig Counsell - we got our first media availability of the spring this weekend, with Jed Hoyer speaking to reporters and Counsell giving his first sitdown, as well. One of the lines from Counsell actually made me laugh because it feels like it belongs on an Obvious Shirt.

When asked about the offseason and the roster changes over the winter, this is what he had to say:

The team's biggest addition, All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, could be the difference-maker the Cubs have sorely lacked for years and the bullpen depth assembled by Hoyer and the front office feels more substantive than anything we've seen in quite some time. Now, as obvious as Counsell's remarks felt, he's right - it's on the guys to turn in the on-field results that lead to more than 83 wins, the wall the Cubs have ran smack-dab into each of the last two seasons.

Although the full-squad workouts aren't set to begin until Feb. 14, a number of position players are already in camp - and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said there have been guys in Mesa since Cubs Convention in mid-January. Again, it's that sense of optimism that permeates throughout every clubhouse in February - and Counsell echoed that sentiment.

“We’re in a good place,” Counsell told MLB.com. “I feel ready and eager to get started, really. I’m glad we’re getting started, glad we’re the first ones getting started. It’s excitement.”

There will be plenty of things to watch over the next month-plus before the team goes wheels up for Japan - but, for now, it's nice to just have baseball back, start getting sights and sounds from camp and turn the page on the football season.