Miles: Rizzo predicts big things for 'fun' Cubs

Anthony Rizzo isn't backing down from his bold talk.

In fact, he's doubling down.

The Cubs first baseman was an active participant Thursday on the Cubs caravan, helping to do some wall painting at the Jacob Beidler Elementary School on Chicago's West Side.

Naturally, Rizzo was asked how the seemingly new-and-improved Cubs would do on the field in 2015.

" 'Back to the Future' said we're going to win in 2015," said Rizzo, who added that the Sporting News was "smart" for picking the Cubs to win the World Series this year. "We're going to be a fun team. I'm going to say it now: Our goal is to make the playoffs. Once you make the playoffs, the ultimate goal is the World Series. That's our goal every single year.

"It's going to happen this year. It's what we're going to do. We're going to play. We're going to win the NL Central. I'll guess you'll quote me on that. We should be the team. With all due respect to every other team, they're just as good talent wise, but we're going to do some things this year. That's what we're expecting. That's what we're going to put our sights on. We're not going to accept anything else."

It was Rizzo who originally got the big-talk ball rolling on the final day of the 2014 season, when he said it was the Cubs' goal to win their division in 2015.

Taking his place:

Pitcher Jake Arrieta became the ace of the Cubs staff last year. Now, he's the No. 2 behind lefty Jon Lester, who was signed to a free-agent deal last month. The Cubs brought back right-hander Jason Hammel, whom they signed last off-season before trading him to Oakland in July.

"It's always exciting to see pieces like that added to the equation," Arrieta said. "Lester's track record and his resume speak for itself. He's done a lot of tremendous things thus far throughout his career. I look forward to working with him and just watching him continue to put up big years."

Like Anthony Rizzo, Arrieta said he sees no reason the Cubs can't win this year.

"I don't think it's out of reach at all," he said. "I expect the guys on our ballclub to have that same sort of mindset, especially starting with a clean slate, a fresh season, a lot of new faces. Optimism is a good thing to have."

Arbitration season begins:

The Cubs and left-handed pitcher Felix Doubront agreed on a one-year contract Thursday. The deal is worth $1.925 million, and it means the Cubs avoid salary arbitration with Doubront.

Jake Arrieta is among the Cubs' arbitration-eligibles, along with Travis Wood, Luis Valbuena, Pedro Strop, Chris Coghlan and Welington Castillo.