The on-field expectations have changed for the Cubs over the last month as the team’s championship window has officially closed with the mass player-exodus at the trade deadline. The experience level of the players at the major-league level has also changed outside of remaining veterans like Jason Heyward, Kyle Hendricks, Willson Contreras and Alec Mills amongst others.
With such inexperience in the Majors as the team prepares for 2022 and beyond, the emphasis for the remaining two months for the Cubs has shifted from fighting for playoff position to teaching and culture building.
Manager David Ross is naturally leading the charge of that and with the variables of his team dramatically different as he closes out his second season at the helm, he’s making sure the players who walk through the clubhouse door know that a new standard in the organization has been set.