MESA, Ariz. -- Three and a half years after deciding to retool their major and minor league rosters at the 2021 MLB trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs believe this is the season it should pay off with a playoff appearance.
The Cubs haven't hidden their sense of urgency that has separated this winter from recent ones. From the moves the front office made to what has been said as the team reports to camp, Chicago has one thing in mind: playing October baseball for the first time in half a decade.
"I think we're in a competitive window," president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said when the Cubs reported this week.