MESA, Ariz. -- Standing in front of his locker on Friday afternoon, Ben Zobrist opted not to divulge the details of the personal matter that kept him away from Cubs camp for the previous four days. His focus was on reuniting with his teammates and looking only at spring and the season ahead.

Given the uncertainty that exists beyond the 2019 campaign for the veteran -- entering the final year of his current contract and heading toward a 38th birthday -- Zobrist could feel added pressure to hoist another World Series trophy this year. He does not view his situation that way. In his view, the unknowns of the future have enhanced his ability to live in the present.

And Zobrist wants to embrace each moment as a leader in the room.

"I actually feel more freedom. I feel lighter," Zobrist said. "I think everybody's kind of there. Everybody's like, how can we build each other up as a group instead of figuring out how I can develop as a player? I've been getting there for the last few years of my career -- no doubt. But, this year probably even more so."

That mentality was born, in part, from last season's painful October exit for the Cubs. Zobrist does not like having the word "complacency" used to explain what happened to the 2018 team down the stretch, but he has appreciated the candor that has existed internally as the team has searched for answers. Along those lines, the front office was very public in saying improved leadership was imperative for this season.

Zobrist and other players in the room heard that message loud and clear, but the front office's point was not solely made via print. Zobrist noted that Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer consulted some of the veterans as part of the discussion about how to strengthen the team's culture behind the scenes.

"We've had some very candid conversations with the leadership," Zobrist said. "I was really grateful to see how Theo and Jed sat us down, several of us, and just asked a lot of questions to us. What do we think? When you feel like you get to have a voice and you get a chance to potentially have a say in what could happen as the new year comes, you jump in.

"So, I've thought about it a lot over the course of this offseason. I'm excited about the potential of how things will change -- the mindset -- going forward. That's something that I'm just excited about. I can't wait to see it play itself out."

On the field, expect more of the same in terms of how Zobrist is utilized.

Last year, Cubs manager Joe Maddon worked closely with Zobrist on mapping out a playing schedule, which often included a built-in day off after three games in a row, for example. The switch-hitter thrived, hitting .305/.378/.440 with nine homers, 28 doubles, 58 RBIs and nearly as many walks (55) as strikeouts (60). Whether starting or entering games, Zobrist played second base (63 games), right field (61), left (43) and first base (four).

"You're going to see a lot of the same formula," Maddon said. "Nothing really different. And that puts him out there often."

Zobrist plans on taking a more vocal role behind the scenes, too.

"Absolutely, yeah," he said. "I do think that it's necessary to speak up when you have something to say. But, there's also a necessary tact that it takes, especially with younger players and guys that are great players in their own right. But, the experience does give you something. You have been through a few things that maybe some of the young guys haven't, and you see how the game changes, you see it from different eyes."