Craig Counsell on why he believes Cubs will improve in 2024: 'It's a new group, we get to write the story'

(670 The Score) With star outfielder Cody Bellinger back in the fold after agreeing to a three-year, $80-million contract, the 2024 Cubs will have a similar look to the 2023 Cubs.

Their starting outfield, middle infield and catcher are the same. The addition of left-hander Shota Imanaga in place of right-hander Marcus Stroman is the main difference in a starting rotation that once again includes left-hander Justin Steele, right-hander Jameson Taillon, right-hander Kyle Hendricks and several promising youngsters competing for the No. 5 spot.

So, with all that as context, why does new manager Craig Counsell believe the Cubs can be better than the 83-win club of 2023?

“Because the season happens,” Counsell said. “We go through a season, this is why we play. I think you put a bunch of guys together, and it’s not last year. Last year, in a lot of sense, doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t.
It’s not going to necessarily help us this year. It’s not going to play the games for us, if it was good or bad. We got to do what’s in front of us and worry about what’s in front of us. All of our goals are to get into a better space and keep getting better and perform better, keep taking steps forward. Collectively, we’re going to hopefully have a bunch of people take steps forward. There’s going to be some guys who take steps back. At the end of the year, that adds up to a net-plus, if you want to say it that way. It’s a new group, man. That’s how I see it. It’s a new group.

“We get to write the story. We’re going to write the story about what this Cubs team is going to be.”