Staging Opening Day in Japan speeds up some personnel decisions that can typically wait until the end of March.

The Cubs’ preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Series began before the players were required to show up for Spring Training. Pitchers began ramping up earlier than usual, understanding that their season would begin in mid-March.

The Chicago Cubs have a long history of good and bad roster moves. Their decision to non-tender Kyle Schwarber at the end of the abbreviated 2020 season, however, may go down as one of their worst.