Joe Maddon reveals 2016 Cubs theme

Last season, it was ‘Respect 90.’ With expectations at an all-time high entering spring training, Cubs manager Joe Maddon has a new theme for 2016.

“Embrace the Target.”

The Cubs enter the season as heavy favorites in the NL Central and seemingly everyone’s pick to win the pennant.

Javier Baez working with outfielders at Cubs spring trainingIt’s a new feeling for a group of players that has never really faced high expectations entering a season, and one that Maddon wants his team to harness rather than crumble beneath.

But that may be easier said than done as the endorsements continue to roll in. USA Today recently picked the Cubs to win 101 games this season and Vegas prognosticators have made Chicago the World Series favorite. All this for a franchise that hasn’t won that many games or a World Series in more than 100 years.

The chase officially begins on Tuesday, when position players report to camp.