WATCH: Craig Counsell on Tokyo series, division favorites in 2025, more |
Tony Crumpton
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- Wednesday, February 19 2025
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell spoke to the media from Media Day at spring training in Arizona talking about his excitement for the upcoming Japan series, the reaction to Shota Imanaga being named the start for the Japan series and more.
Watch the interview below: Video summary/cliff-notes: Travel Schedule & Season Start (00:00-01:16) The Cubs’ schedule is favorable in terms of travel and off days. They start the season against the Diamondbacks and won’t need to fly for 10 days. The team benefits from multiple off days in April, similar to the Dodgers. Tokyo Series & Shohei Ohtani (01:16-02:45) Ohtani's presence in Tokyo is a major draw, with ticket prices soaring up to $20,000. His reaction to the announcement was relaxed and typical of his personality. The Cubs see Ohtani’s participation as a no-brainer for baseball's global appeal. Starting Pitcher Announcement (02:45-03:21) The team announced a starting pitcher via Twitter, surprising even some staff. The decision to start a key pitcher in his home country was straightforward. Cubs as Division Favorites (03:21-04:54) Jed Hoyer hinted that the Cubs should be favorites but emphasized they must prove it. Counsell acknowledges expectations but believes discussions on favorites don’t matter much. Offseason Moves & Roster Improvements (04:54-06:11) The team has made significant offseason moves, leading to positive projections. They remain committed to improving the roster throughout the season. Cubs’ Resources & Organizational Strength (06:11-06:56) Counsell was drawn to the Cubs partly due to their available resources. The team lacks depth at first base, making it a priority area for improvement. Veteran Experience & Leadership (06:56-07:52) The Cubs are an experienced team, which should be a strength. Veteran players can mentor younger teammates and help avoid mistakes. Longevity in Baseball (07:52-09:11) Counsell believes baseball is the greatest job, and many veterans continue playing for the love of the game. He personally stopped playing because he wasn’t good enough anymore and teams stopped calling.
