MESA, Ariz. – The whiplash of Nicky Lopez’ final two seasons snapped his priorities into focus.
He ended 2023 pinch operating and taking part in shortstop for the Braves in a Nationwide League Division Collection. Then he was traded to the White Sox for his or her historic 121-loss season.
“I discovered that I need to be part of a successful surroundings,” mentioned Lopez, a Naperville native. “I need to be part of October baseball. And discovered that it’s not all the time brighter taking part in each single day.”
These reflections introduced him to the Cubs, on a minor-league take care of an invite to major-league camp. The Cubs don’t have an on a regular basis position for him. And even the competitors for a spot on the bench is crowded. However they’re the favourite to win the Nationwide League Central and have made their postseason expectations clear.
When the White Sox got here to Sloan Park on Saturday, Lopez began at shortstop for the Cubs, dealing with a group that’s solely setting its expectations at winning more games than final yr’s 41.
“The great factor was – and everybody will say it that was inside that clubhouse – the clubhouse was good,” Lopez mentioned. “Folks weren’t going at one another. All of us frolicked exterior of the sphere. Once we had been on the highway, we had been getting dinners and stuff like that. Simply didn’t win any video games. … And it wasn’t as a result of lack of effort, that’s for positive.”
Lopez performed 124 video games for the White Sox final yr. He acquired to characterize certainly one of his hometown teams, spend extra time together with his household, and take in Chicago in the summertime.
“There’s no place prefer it,” Lopez mentioned.
Most of his members of the family are Cubs followers. His dad Bobby Lopez, a member of the 16-inch softball Corridor of Fame, is the exception, rooting for Chicago sports activities on the whole. Nicky himself mentioned he was extra of a Derek Jeter fan rising up; he watched a variety of Yankees video games.
As Lopez surveyed his choices as a free agent this winter, the Cubs supplied a singular mixture of alternatives. He might characterize Chicago and be part of a corporation with playoff aspirations – melding his experiences with the White Sox and Braves in to 1.
“I had the style of successful,” Lopez mentioned. “And I had the style of playoff baseball. Everybody will say, who’s been within the playoffs, it’s contagious and it’s addicting.”
Lopez is certainly one of 4 utility gamers the Cubs added this winter. Veteran Jon Berti, who the Cubs signed to a one-year deal value $2 million final month, is a lock for the Opening Day roster. Vidal Bruján and Gage Workman have the benefit of additionally already occupying 40-man roster spots. Bruján is out of minor-league choices and Workman is a Rule 5 Draft decide, to allow them to’t be optioned to the minors.
Accidents to second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm surgical procedure) and third baseman Matt Shaw (indirect) might have an effect on the roster image, relying on how the 2 proceed to progress of their rehab packages.
Hoerner remains to be ramping up throwing and Shaw is scheduled to advance to hitting on the sphere and throwing to bases subsequent week.
As Lopez entered free company this winter, he additionally mirrored on his personal strengths.
“That’s, one, the intangibles of being an excellent teammate, being a high-energy man, attending to know all my teammates in that side,” he mentioned. “But additionally with the ability to bounce round positions, giving guys days off if want be. And it type of match right here.”
The Cubs aren’t platoon heavy. So, their bench shall be stuffed with versatile gamers. Lopez might image himself giving Hoerner or shortstop Dansby Swanson a time without work.
“Whoever,” he mentioned. “Third base, first base, left subject. If anyone wants a day, I can fill that spot and know my position. That’s what it’s. Once you’re in arbitration, you’re attempting to achieve numbers, and also you’re attempting to construct up and make your cash and stuff like that. However I’m on the level the place I need to win.
“I need to be an excellent teammate, and I need to win.”
