Ross likes the look of Cubs newcomers: 'They're winners'
The Cubs' clubhouse used to be loaded with winners.
Anthony Rizzo. Kris Bryant. Javy Baez. Kyle Schwarber. Willson Contreras.
They were the key cogs that drove the Cubs to the postseason five times over a six-year stretch, highlighted by a World Series championship in 2016.
They're all gone now - except for starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks - but a new crop is coming to Wrigley Field this season.
"They're winners," Cubs manager David Ross said.
Dansby Swanson is the biggest addition, and the shortstop joins the Cubs on a seven-year, $177 million contract after four straight playoff appearances with the Braves. Atlanta won the World Series in 2021.
Before signing, Swanson made sure president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was switching gears after two years of rebuilding.
"I did my best homework," Swanson said. "I really felt like you need to show signs of life in order to get people to be a part of something. It was a vision that was pretty easy to get behind."
Two days before Swanson agreed to a contract, Jameson Taillon signed a four-year, $68 million deal with the Cubs. The starting pitcher went to the playoffs with the Yankees last season.
The Cubs signed Cody Bellinger to a one-year, $17.5 million contract in mid-December. The center fielder is loaded with postseason experience and was on six straight playoff teams with the Dodgers - including the 2020 World Series champs.
Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer, who will split time at first base with the Cubs, also arrive with winning resumes.
Traded from the Orioles to the Astros last August, Mancini was part of Houston's championship push.
Hosmer played in two straight World Series with the Royals and won a ring in 2015.
"I think it's going to good," Hosmer said. "It's a lot of good veterans that they signed. A lot of good young guys. Get to mix in with these guys, get to share some knowledge with them."
Past success with other teams doesn't guarantee the same results for the Cubs. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt.
"When you have a lot of exciting young talent matched with some of the right veteran guys, that can be a great mix," Mancini said. "That can really propel, especially the younger guys, forward. The younger guys with a lot of talent and not a lot of experience, how quickly they grow is very important to the team's success.
"I think it's just getting the right mix of people in there and I think that we've certainly done that."
Ian Happ is one of the younger guys, and the Cubs' left fielder is a big fan of the veteran talent the Cubs brought in.
"We added a lot of guys who have been really productive, big leaguers who have done a lot of really awesome things in their careers," Happ said. "Guys who have won World Series in different places, guys that have been all-stars, Gold Glovers. "I'm really excited to play with a bunch of these guys that I've played against for a long time, but to be able to share the clubhouse, pick their brains, get their experiences as well."
In addition to having winning backgrounds, Swanson, Taillon and the rest of the newcomers are known for being good teammates.
"We all like to work with good people, right?" Ross said. "And those guys are proven leaders. They hold each other accountable, they have good conversations. They've been in World Series environments. It's fresh. We have a lot of those guys.
"We've got winners all over the field, and hardware and awards. But the nice thing about that is, when you talk to them, it's not about what they've done in the past. It's not about being an MVP or a Gold Glove winner. It's about, 'How am I getting better? How am I impacting this group?' That's a character thing and we've got a high-character group of guys."