Mapquest says 29 miles separate Mesa and Glendale, Ariz., but as everyone back in Chicago knows, the gap between the Cubs and White Sox perhaps never has been greater and the size of their dots on the baseball map seldom more disparate.
As both teams officially report to their respective facilities this weekend, everything about the reigning World Series champion Cubs again revolves around the idea of succeeding now, while the Sox wisely — if a little reluctantly — chose to focus on winning later. The difference in approaches by our city’s baseball teams contrasts as sharply as Bridgeport and Wrigleyville. And nobody’s really complaining. Maybe that’s the most unusual part of this spring training, the quiet acceptance.
For the Cubs, spring training 2017 feels more like the postscript to the greatest story in sports than a preview of the upcoming season, every interview part of a six-week documentary about celebrating the World Series more than preparing for opening day. The party moved from Progressive Field but never really stopped, and the offseason felt like it was shorter than one of David Ross’ answers about retirement. Manager Joe Maddon barely had enough time to get over being second-guessed in Game 7.
Indeed, the weeks have flown at an unprecedented speed since Nov. 2, connected by continuous talk of Cubs appearances, a Cubs dynasty, Cubs trades, Cubs tattoos and Cubs memorabilia for sale, which reminds me to finish that loan application to afford an authentic Wrigley Field seat.
The Cubs revved up the locals at the Cubs Convention and raced to the White House before former President Barack Obama left, leaving mere weeks to mentally prepare for another memorable trip that begins in the Southwest. It’s not fake news to report that the Cubs have every reason to believe this one will end in the East Room too.
Players and team officials can talk all they want about turning the page, but the pictures and words look so familiar, with just as many exclamation points. From newly married Kris Bryant to freshly dyed Javier Baez, the Cubs remain just as lethal and likable as when the corks started to pop in Cleveland.
Photos as the Cubs practice at spring training in Mesa, Ariz.
Overconfidence appears as big of a threat as the Cardinals. The Cubs return a loaded roster that makes them favorites to repeat, even after the losses of center fielder Dexter Fowler and closer Aroldis Chapman that have been largely ignored amid the happy talk.
New fifth starter Mike Montgomery wants to warrant the confidence in him after only 23 career starts, and 38-year-old John Lackey needs to look younger than he did in a shaky postseason. Chapman replacement Wade Davis must stay healthy, and light-hitting, $28 million outfielder Jason Heyward hopefully can streamline a swing more complicated than the tax code. But overall, solutions outnumber problems for a team that still has Maddon, already a Chicago legend.
Nobody needs to get too worked up over where Baez plays or how many games Kyle Schwarber, baseball battering ram, catches. Schwarber proved how little spring training means when he went from rehabbing his knee for months to creating World Series lore in a day. When the biggest suspense before camp involved what slogan Maddon will put on a T-shirt, it said everything about how President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer have rebuilt the Cubs.
Frankly, more curiosity surrounds the Sox, finally rebuilding after years of mulling how to deal with too much mediocrity. Page views won’t reflect it, but the most discerning baseball eyes could justify watching the Sox more closely than the Cubs over the next six weeks. Manager Rick Renteria’s young team actually needs the time devoted to fundamentals. If the essence of spring training focuses on player development, no team in the majors committed to a youth movement any more than the Sox.
Caption Todd Frazier on the ‘refueling’ the White Sox
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the "refueling" team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the “refueling” team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Todd Frazier on the ‘refueling’ the White Sox
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the "refueling" team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the “refueling” team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Carlos Rodon, Rick Renteria on Rodon’s separate spring training work
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon and manager Rick Renteria discuss Rodon’s separate work at spring training on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon and manager Rick Renteria discuss Rodon’s separate work at spring training on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Tour of White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 16, 2017.
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 16, 2017.
Caption Prospect Reynaldo Lopez on his experience in the majors
White Sox prospect Reynaldo Lopez on his experience in the majors on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Reynaldo Lopez on his experience in the majors on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption James Shields: ‘I know how to come back’ from a rough season
White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he’ll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he’ll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
The unknowns added to the system offer a sleepy organization a chance to awaken as minor-leaguers Yoan Moncada, the best prospect in baseball, takes batting practice or Michael Kopech, the triple-digit fastballer, throws heat in the bullpen. Enjoy tracking the progress of pitcher Lucas Giolito, expected in Chicago sooner rather than later, and the Zack Attack — catcher Zack Collins and pitcher Zack Burdi, both 2016 first-round picks.
Realize that shortstop Tim Anderson, bound for a South Side billboard after a promising rookie year, figures only to get better. Pitchers Carlos Rodon and Carson Fulmer, both recent high draft picks, will benefit from their baptism by fire in an organization suddenly deep with power arms. Something about outfielder Charlie Tilson’s speed makes him intriguing too.
The back of the baseball cards for Sox prospects impresses nobody, but their futures excite everyone associated with the team, which isn’t done dealing. Each of Jose Quintana’s starts could be his last in a Sox uniform, and the same goes for every home run Todd Frazier hits and every ninth inning closer David Robertson enters. Not only would it be an upset if all three are on the Sox roster after the trade deadline, but the inactivity would reflect poorly on general manager Rick Hahn after such a productive winter.
It’s conceivable the Sox could lose as many games as the Cubs win over the next eight months, yet, oddly, Chicago’s teams arrived in the desert sharing something in common: Both appear headed in the right direction.
dhaugh@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @DavidHaugh
Caption Spring training drills: Jon Lester fields and throws to first base
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Spring training drills: Jon Lester fields and throws to first base
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Jon Lester performing fielding drills at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Closer Wade Davis on joining the Cubs. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Joe Maddon on Kyle Schwarber catching, batting leadoff
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the effect catching might have on Kyle Schwarber’s injured knee at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the effect catching might have on Kyle Schwarber’s injured knee at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Brian Duensing throws a bullpen session
Cubs pitcher Brian Duensing throws a bullpen session at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Brian Duensing throws a bullpen session at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jon Lester on challenges of defending a World Series title
Cubs’ Jon Lester on the challenges of defending a World Series title on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Jon Lester on the challenges of defending a World Series title on Feb. 17, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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