Chicago Cubs News: Cardinals ZiPS projections, Hosmer, and more

While the Chicago Cubs undoubtedly improved their roster this offseason, the same can be said for the St. Louis Cardinals with their most significant addition being the signing of former Cubs' catcher Willson Contreras. FanGraphs is set to release the Cardinals' ZiPS projections for the 2023 season on Thursday. However, a preview shared by Dan Szymborski on Twitter proves that the redbirds are still the clear favorites in the National League Central division.

A sneak peek at the ZiPS x FanGraphs Depth Chart for the next team in ZiPS, the St. Louis Cardinals.#ZiPS23 #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/WbWrKjGrxc
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) January 18, 2023

That is a very strong look for the Cardinals entering the 2023 season. Can the Cubs reach the same level as the Cardinals this season? It seems unlikely as the Cardinals are a team that boasts two perennial National League MVP candidates and the Cubs are still a team that lacks a true superstar. If the Cubs' pitching staff outperforms expectations in 2023, then that could be where the team is able to make up ground with the Cardinals.

Eric Hosmer believes the Chicago Cubs can win the NL Central

Speaking of winning the NL Central division, that is part of the reason why first baseman Eric Hosmer elected to sign with the Cubs this offseason as he was a fan of the moves that the team has made this offseason.

"“When you look at the team, you look at the middle of the field with Nico (Hoerner), Dansby (Swanson) and then Cody (Bellinger) out there in center and you just say, ‘Wow, that’s a heck of a defense right there,’” Hosmer said over the weekend at the Cubs Convention. “And you just know that when you play those games, especially meaningful games late in the season and in October, you can’t give away free outs, you can’t give away a free 90 feet. And when you see the guys that they have on the defensive side, you see that’s just not going to happen here. So definitely appealing.”"
- Eric Hosmer via Chicago Tribune

Meet the Chicago Cubs new specialist for pitcher strength and conditioning

#Cubs fans - welcome a new member of the staff - @TheKevinPoppe will be a Strength & Conditioning Specialist for Cubs Pitchers this season.

Poppe will still run @DST_Houston North while traveling for CHC.

He works with dozens of big leaguers - as you can see on that jersey wall pic.twitter.com/Ou15cC1UdJ
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) January 19, 2023

Chicago Cubs fans will appreciate the collapse of Christian Yelich

Christian Yelich:

2018-2019: 170 wRC+, 14.9 fWAR, 80 HRs in 277 games

2020-2022: 108 wRC+, 4.5 fWAR, 35 HRs in 329 games

I’ll never understand it.
— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) January 18, 2023

Chicago Cubs players in the World Baseball Classic

Cubs on WBC preliminary rosters (compiled off @Shawn_Spradling’s fantastic graphics - errors are mine):

Matt Mervis
Miles Mastrobuoni
Ben DeLuzio
Owen Caissie
Danis Correa
Roenis Elías
Esteban Quiroz
Nick Madrigal
Javier Assad
Marcus Stroman
Seiya Suzuki
— Cubs Prospects - Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) January 18, 2023

A reminder from the Chicago Cubs Convention that St. Louis is boring

“Why is it always so hot in the Cardinals stadium?”

“There’s no fans in there.”

The best joke at the Kid’s Only Press Conference at #CubsCon 🤣 pic.twitter.com/xzvsj5bOvj
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) January 18, 2023

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