The Cubs had to rebuild before becoming World Series champions last year, adding players such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell and Kyle Hendricks either through the Draft or via trades. That emphasis hasn't changed now that they finally reached the pinnacle in 2016.
"It's something we have to be mindful of, to continue to put focus on player development, and the same focus that we put on it when we were rebuilding," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday during the Cactus League Media Day at the Arizona Biltmore.