The Chicago Cubs have been one of the busiest teams so far this off season and the moves they made this winter will hopefully culminate in a playoff berth in 2025.
The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a minor playoff drought not making them since they lost to the Miami Marlins back in 2020. Since then, President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has been assembling a team that could possibly break that drought and make the playoffs in 2025. During his tenure since taking over for legendary Baseball executive Theo Epstein, Hoyer has signed two Japanese superstars in Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga who since joining the Cubs have been nothing more than phenomenal. As well as acquiring superstar outfielder from the Houston Astros Kyle Tucker, Jed Hoyer has put together a solid Major League Roster so far.
More to Come?
In a recent report published in The Athletic by Sahadev Sharma he stated that the Chicago Cubs will add another big piece to their pitching depth writing:
“Whether it’s a trade in the coming weeks or a late free-agent signing before the spring, it seems inevitable that one more starting pitcher will be added,” he reported.”
Appearing that another big move is on the horizon what better way to ring that new year as a Cubs fan than hearing that the Chicago Cubs traded for one of the top pitchers on the trade market like Pablo López or Sandy Alcántara.
Seeing the Young Prospects
The 2025 season will also be exciting from the standpoint of fans is they will finally get to see some of the prospect’s debut that they’ve been hearing all about. The Cubs sent over third basemen Isaac Paredes in the Kyle Tucker deal freeing up a spot for top prospect Matt Shaw to win the starting job. The Cubs could also figure to call up number three overall prospect Cade Horton if he finds success down at Triple-A to help fill some of their rotational needs or takeover if an injury occurs.
As well as possibly seeing number five overall prospect James Triantos who could figure to be the Cubs next super utility-man with Triantos looking a lot like Chicago Cub great Ben Zobrist. Sadly, not every prospect will be seen playing in a Chicago Cubs uniform in 2025.
When it comes to number two overall prospect Owen Caissie has been the subject of trade speculation and with him not having an avenue to get consistent everyday playing time with the Cubs and them having needs elsewhere a trade seems likely for Caissie. The same can be said for fellow outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara (sixth overall prospect) who is in the same boat as Caissie. Both can possibly be stars in the league, but that figures to be somewhere else.
What to expect from Players Currently on the Roster?
The Chicago Cubs will need to have a monster season from their newly acquired superstar Kyle Tucker who also needs to stay healthy heading into a contract year. If the Chicago Cubs can get the MVP like seasons Tucker is capable of putting together, along with Seiya Suzuki, and Michael Busch finding their power strokes, things could get fun in Chicago. As for Michael Busch the Cubs are putting a lot of confidence in him by naming him the starting first basemen before Spring Training even happened. That confidence in Busch was doubled and then tripled down when Jed Hoyer traded away Cody Bellinger assuring there was no competition at first, as well as making comments to the media declaring:
“We really see Michael as a Gold Glove first baseman,” Hoyer said. “That’s our focus. Can he move around a little bit? Of course. His versatility is great, but he made real strides at first. I thought after the first month of the season, he was fantastic at first. And that’s certainly how we’re seeing him.”
The Chicago Cubs will also need to see a breakout season from centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong who by all measures appears to be on the verge of having a breakout season.
Then there’s the stable veterans Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner. Hoerner is currently on the shelve recovering from off season surgery, but figures to be back early on in the season. He can be relied on to give you his career numbers at the plate which are respectable as well as provide Gold Glove defense at second. As for Happ and Swanson they figure to be the steady hands the consistent ball players they have been throughout their careers, show up to play every day, give you consistent play, and provide Gold Glove level defense at two important positions.
The X-Factors
Coming into the 2025 season there are two X-factors on the Cubs roster that can make or break their season, they are: what level of production will they see from the catching position? And how good will the bullpen actually be? These two questions are crucial for the Chicago Cubs to have success in given that they’re trying to make the playoffs in 2025.
The Cubs signed veteran catcher Carson Kelly to split time and be a solid backup to current starter Miguel Amaya. If Amaya doesn’t end up taking off offensively like the Cubs hope he will in 2025, then Kelly figures to take over the starting role, being that catching prospect Moisés Ballesteros isn’t at the level yet defensively as Kelly is. Ballesteros bat will play in the big leagues it’s just a question of can he get his defense to the same level.
As for the bullpen the Chicago Cubs did manage to get depth for it by making one of their first moves in the off season being acquiring right-hander reliever Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians to help with the middle relief role. The also just recently signed veteran left-hander and former Minnesota Twin Caleb Thielbar to a one-year deal giving the Cubs another lefty option.
They also added depth in Ben Heller who will also compete for a bullpen spot. Really it all hinges on if Porter Hodges can be the future closer the Cubs hope he can be. Coming off a season in which he collected nine saves and had a 1.88 ERA in 43.0 innings of work is what he needs to replicate in 2025 for the Chicago Cubs to have success.
Can 2025 Be the Year?
With all the moves the Cubs have made so far boded well for the Chicago Cubs to be better than they were in 2024. As manager Craig Counsel enters his second year as skipper the Cubs are in capable hands on the field with Jed Hoyer proving that he’s capable of handling the job off the field.
With moves still yet to be made to add to the roster once the season begins, the Chicago Cubs are in a good enough spot as it shapes out today to up their win total from 83 wins last season to possibly surpassing 90 wins this season. The Cubs are also primed to possibly make the playoffs in 2025 with these moved they made so far, which should really excite fans for the season coming ahead.
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