Nick Baumgardner

I know you guys got a chance to talk to Pete a couple of days ago.

What was the conversation that you guys had with him in terms of, you know, we saw how good the first half was last year and then the drop off in the second half into the postseason?

And what stood out to you from that conversation?

Megan, tell me if I'm overstating things here, but it feels like you talked about a different vibe this year compared to last year.

They had another player with a lot of success that was added to that roster in Kyle Tucker, but this to me feels different.

I don't know if it's because it's a one-year deal for Kyle Tucker versus a free agent signing for multiple years for Alex Bregman, but it just feels like Alex Bregman is already a better fit for the Cubs.

Megan, we saw the additions that the Cubs made this offseason.

We saw the rest of the NL Central not really make additions.

And for the Milwaukee Brewers, actually made some subtractions.

But you've been a ball writer for a long time as a fellow ball writer.

You know we're very realistic about things.

We know baseball has really long seasons.

If you had to look at this Cubs roster and say where are the question marks, what are the remaining question marks that the Cubs have in your mind going into 26th?

Megan Montemuro of the Chicago Tribune.

She covers the Cubs.

She is in Arizona, and she joins us via the Circus Sports Illinois hotline.

Megan, I know Moises Ballesteros at last check was not in camp yet.

It seemed like he was having some visa issues.

How concerning is that for the Cubs?

Because I know Moises Ballesteros expected to have a pretty sizable role in this offense.