Cubs 'don't care' about heading into season with low expectations

The Cubs head into the regular season Thursday afternoon with low expectations.

Jake Arrieta is nonplused.

"We don't care about that, honestly," said the veteran starting pitcher, who is back with the Cubs after spending the last three season with the Phillies. "I haven't heard any of it, I haven't seen it. And it's irrelevant."

A playoff team five times over the last six years with key players like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras still on the roster, a perceived lack of quality starting pitching is the main reason many expect the Cubs to tail off this season.

Kyle Hendricks is the only returning starter from 2020. After taking the mound against the Pirates in the opener at Wrigley Field, Hendricks will be followed by Arrieta, Zach Davies, Trevor Williams and Adbert Alzolay.

Last year's No. 1 starter, Yu Darvish, was traded to the Padres and Jon Lester, Tyler Chatwood and Jose Quintana exited as free agents.

The new group, outside of Alzolay, is low on heat but long on experience and savvy.

"I know people talk about how it's not a great group of starters or whatnot just because of the velocity and strikeouts and whatever," said Davies, who came over from San Diego in the Darvish deal. "But I'll take five guys that are going to work their (butts) off and compete every single game compared to the guys with just pure stuff."

There are bullpen questions as well, beginning with inconsistent closer Craig Kimbrel, and the Cubs could also be hampered by a distracted offense.

Rizzo, Bryant and Baez are all eligible for free agency at the end of the season, and none of the trio were able to hammer out extensions during spring training.

Saying he wants to focus on baseball only starting Thursday, Rizzo added he's "at peace" with the prospects of wearing a different uniform next year.

On Wednesday, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said he's "very confident" a deal will get done with Rizzo.

"I want him playing first base for the Cubs for a long time, in 2022 and beyond," Hoyer said. "I've made that really clear to him throughout the process. The most important thing is that he knows that we want him back and I certainly hope that we're able to work something out."

Manager David Ross played with Rizzo, Bryant and Baez and can relate to their uncertain situations. He still has job to do.

"If I was writing checks, I would pay them all," Ross said. "But there are budgets, there are things that are above my pay grade and I try to stay in my lane and do the best with the players I'm provided.

"I've been really impressed with the work. There's been a sense of these guys coming together with a lot to prove. I couldn't be happier with how this spring has gone and where I feel like we're headed for 2021. It's an exciting time."