The Cubs delegation to the World Baseball Classic has represented the team admirably. Pool play eliminated Novena México, but that was no fault of Javier Assad, who pitched eight solid innings for them. Meanwhile, Daniel Palencia, Alex Bregman and Matthew Boyd went along for the ride as Team Venezuela and Team USA advanced—and Pete Crow-Armstrong did something more akin to dragging the United States through to the quarterfinals, going 3-for-10 with two walks, two home runs and a double.
Though the U.S. squad was almost ousted, it was Crow-Armstrong’s two homers that enlivened the team late in their lone loss of the round, to Team Italy. Because of his heroics, they were safe from elimination by the midpoint of the next day’s game between México and Italy. A sputtering second half last season had the baseball world wondering whether Crow-Armstrong could really sustain what he flashed in the first half of 2025. Those questions aren’t answered, but he’s been thoroughly impressive.
For a short time, Jaxon Wiggins was the talk of Cubs camp back in Mesa. He was never going to start the season with the parent club, though, so it was no surprise when he, Justin Dean, Luke Little and Ryan Rolison were optioned to the minors (or, in Wiggins’s case, simply returned to minor-league camp). Those moves did begin to tighten the scope of battles for the team’s final roster spots, and those four players can now turn their attention to being ready when an opportunity arises for them later this year.
Despite a shaky appearance in the World Baseball Classic, Matthew Boyd earned Counsell’s nod as the starting pitcher when the Cubs begin their season on Mar. 26, against the Nationals. Opting for the coveted Opening Day start, Boyd turned down an extended run into the WBC and has returned to Arizona. In a deep rotation with a couple of more electric arms, Boyd nonetheless won Counsell’s trust, thanks to his steady performance last season.
Cubs camp hasn’t been especially buzzy this spring, because the team feels mature, and complete. As the regular season draws near, though, it’s getting easier to feel the excitement. Once the games count, the talent of this team will begin to spur more energy—and more anxiety.