The Chicago Cubs have undertaken some remarkable shifts in this offseason with an aspiration of a playoff berth, a feat they haven’t been able to accomplish since the truncated 2020 season and aiming for their first playoff triumph since 2017. Kyle Tucker emerged as a standout addition to the team through a trade exchange with the Houston Astros, representing a well-rounded professional.
To secure Tucker, the Cubs had to part ways with a promising prospect, Cam Smith, and two valuable main-tier players, third baseman Isaac Paredes and pitcher Hayden Wesneski. Regardless of the high cost, Tucker’s stable performance and his star-quality skill set are anticipated to be worth it, notwithstanding the possibility of his departure via free agency in the upcoming season.
Additionally, a notable enhancement in the starting rotation has been infused through the acquisition of the recuperated Cleveland Guardians pitcher, Matthew Boyd, in free agency. Boyd replaces the fan-favorite yet variable Kyle Hendricks, and, in all the critical aspects, is a beneficial addition to the Cubs roster.
The starting rotation is complemented by Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Javier Assad, collectively forming a competent array of starting pitchers. There is ongoing speculation about the Cubs potentially landing one more top-tier starter before the offseason concludes.
The bullpen has also been reinforced. The additions include names like Eli Morgan, attained via a trade with the Guardians, Cody Poteet through a trade involving Cody Bellinger with the Yankees, and Caleb Thielbar, a free agent signee. These new inclusions will work in collaboration with the promising closer Porter Hodge and an already decent relief crew.
The bullpen had faced some tough times during the initial part of the 2024 season, but managed to bounce back impressively, finishing as one of the highest-performing pen groups in the league. The current composition of the Cubs team is giving many analysts a reason to believe that they can turn into a playoffs contender in 2025.
The prediction by MLB.com for the Cubs appears neither too daring nor cautious. It comments, ‘The Cubs were expected to make it to the October playoffs in both 2023 and ‘24, but they narrowly missed then and could not meet the high hopes last season.’
The Cubs struggled last season, ending up 10 games behind the division winner Brewers, and fell short by six games to claim the ultimate Wild Card spot. However, the arrival of star outfielder Kyle Tucker along with a few other reinforcements across the roster has given the Cubs an outlook of a team that can break its playoff victory dry spell.
The Cubs have the burden of higher expectations heading into the upcoming season, and although they are projected to clinify the division victory, it’s expected to be a closely fought battle. To prevent falling short for the third consecutive year, they need to remain proactive in the starting pitching market.
Even Fangraphs shared a positive outlook regarding the Cubs’ probability of making the postseason. Time is still on the Cubs side with plenty of the offseason remaining before commencing the spring training. By the look of things, the Cubs’ roster for the 2025 team isn’t finalized just yet.
Emerging reports suggest that the Cubs are still intent on adding more pieces to their 2025 setup. This proactive attitude in the offseason could fuel the hope of a playoff berth to a greater extent in the upcoming days or weeks. Now, all eyes are on the Cubs as they navigate the rest of the offseason, pairing high expectations with defined strategies for a triumphant 2025 season.