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Chicago Cubs News: David Ross expectations, Taillon workout, and more
First and foremost, everyone here at Cubbies Crib wishes you all a safe and Happy New Year. As the Chicago Cubs head into 2023, the expectations have changed for the team. The expectation for the Cubs at the Major League level is for the team to contend and the acquisitions of shortstop Dansby Swanson, center fielder Cody Bellinger, starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, catcher Tucker Barnhart, and relief pitcher Brad Boxberger speak to the notion of the Cubs goal to be competitive at the Major League level.
For the first time since Cubs' manager David Ross took over in 2020, winning is going to be more of a priority for the team. Even in 2020 and 2021, when the Cubs had most of the 2016 World Series winning core in place, there was a sense that the team was trending toward a rebuild.
With the expectation of winning, there will be a new formula for which Ross is evaluated. The jury is still out on the Cubs' manager as there have been some concerning trends in regard to his preference to play veterans as opposed to the hot hand, late-inning bullpen decisions, as well s his overall strategy late in games. More of a focus will be placed on those decisions now that the Cubs want to win at the Major League level.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon gearing up for season
In a video shared on New Year's Eve, new Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon was dressed in Cubs' workout gear and presumably beginning his ramp-up for the 2022 season.
2022 was a really good year. But there is so much to look forward to in 2023! New amazing city to call home, new teammates to get to work with, and new fans to play in front of! Let’s get this year going. One last throwing session of ‘22 (in some new colors) pic.twitter.com/L94RCpYY10
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon50) December 31, 2022
Tucker Barnhart has already made Chicago Cubs' fans out of his children
New Chicago Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart has already made Cubs fans out of his children as he shared a picture of his two sons in his new Cubs jersey.
Go @Cubs Go! pic.twitter.com/alvOh4uQyi
— Tucker Barnhart (@Tucker_Barnhart) December 31, 2022
Gordon Wittenmyer bids farewell to the Chicago Cubs' beat
In his final column with NBC Sports Chicago, Gordon Wittenmyer seemingly has bidden farewell to the Chicago Cubs' beat. Wittenmyer has often drawn the ire of Cubs fans due to his honest assessment of the team's decisions but, over time, his assessment has proven to be more right than wrong. The goal of any beat writer is to capture the pulse of the team in which they are covering and be critical when the team tries to insult their fanbase. There are few beat reporters that accomplished that goal better than Wittenmyer and we tip our respective caps to him for a tremendous run on the Cubs' beat.