The Chicago Cubs: Building on a Foundation of Stability
The Chicago Cubs: Building on a Foundation of Stability
As the dust begins to settle on the latest Major League Baseball season, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in a notably stable but intriguing position. With every position-player starter secured under contract through 2024, the Cubs are entering the offseason with a roster that offers both consistency and potential for impactful rearrangements.
Stability is a keyword for this Cubs team, especially after seeing a more static improvement following the significant 2021 sell-off orchestrated by Cubs president Jed Hoyer. After a disappointing 71-91 record in 2021, the Cubs rallied to complete back-to-back 83-win seasons. Although the progression might seem gradual, it indicates a firm bedrock upon which the team is poised to build.
Offensive Overview: Opportunities and Constraints
The Cubs' offensive lineup has been relatively middle-of-the-pack, concluding the last season ranking 12th in runs and 10th in on-base percentage. While these statistics offer some encouragement, the team’s power hitting remains an area needing reinforcement, as they ranked 21st in home runs with no player hitting more than 25 homers.
Cody Bellinger’s decision to exercise his player option ensures continuity but also emphasizes the need to bolster the team's slugging power. With potential targets in the market, the front office could explore adding a big bat, though they are unlikely to pursue high-profile names like Juan Soto or Rafael Devers.
Pitching Staff: A Strength to Build Upon
The Cubs’ pitching rotation has been a stalwart component, recording a robust sixth rank in ERA and 12th in innings pitched last season. This level of performance provides a solid foundation and represents a clear strength of the team heading into the next season. With a deep farm system at their disposal, the Cubs can afford to entertain trades without mortgaging their future, potentially targeting high-caliber arms like Max Fried, Logan Gilbert, or even Walker Buehler.
Meanwhile, maintaining flexibility remains crucial, and the market offers intriguing possibilities. Roki Sasaki, whose talents have begun to attract serious MLB interest, could offer the Cubs a chance to inject fresh talent into their rotation. Additionally, the presence of potential trade pieces like Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, and Jameson Taillon provides leverage for strategic moves.
Focus on Catcher Position
In the transition to next season, the Cubs will rely significantly on catcher Miguel Amaya to act as a stopgap before the anticipated arrival of prospect Moises Ballesteros. Supplementing this position could be key, and possible target Travis d'Arnaud might provide the necessary veteran experience to complement the youthful promise of Ballesteros.
Strategic Offseason Moves
While the Cubs are not losing much to free agency and might not be active buyers in the major leagues' headline makers, their strategic direction will involve a keen analysis of trade opportunities, leveraging existing assets, and a possible acquisition through a value-driven lens.
Anthony Santander's newfound free-agent status offers a notable, though not necessarily a perfect, fit within the Cubs' short-term strategy. His inclusion would add an element of versatility, albeit potentially at odds with the broader reluctance to engage in high-profile free-agent bidding wars.
Post-2021, Jed Hoyer's restructuring set the Chicago Cubs onto a path of gradual but steady improvements. With a solid base and the ability to maneuver within the trade market, there is substantial room for optimism in Chicago's North Side. While perhaps not on the cusp of a breakout, the Cubs' measured approach could yield dividends in consistency and competitiveness in the coming seasons. One thing is certain: the Cubs are building a roster that will not be easily swayed by the winds of change.
