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2024 Season: Eliminated on September 21, 2nd in the National League Central
Let’s take a look at the Chicago Cubs’ 2024 season, the questions the team needs to address this winter, and the early outlook for 2025.
Read more: 2024 MLB offseason previews: What’s next for the White Sox, Reds, Angels and more??
Things that went well
Leading the Cubs’ starting pitchers this year were Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad and Justin Steele, all effective in 20-plus starts. Imanaga was especially impressive, leading the team in wins, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. The 31-year-old also proved to be durable, as he stayed off the injured list for the entire season. Steele’s performance was also notable, as he overcame a pair of stints on the injured list to post an ERA in the 3.00 range for the third straight year.
While the best offensive performances were less notable, both Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ deserve credit for productive seasons. Suzuki continued to reach base at a high rate and surpassed the 20-homer barrier for the second straight year. He also diversified his offensive game by recording his first double-digit steals total. Meanwhile, Happ produced career-highs in home runs, RBIs and runs scored.
Things that went wrong
A few veteran position players had disappointing seasons in 2024. Cody Bellinger was the leader of that group, as his year-over-year OPS dropped by more than 100 points. A lower BABIP and minor changes in his barrel rate were among the factors that contributed to his decline. Dansby Swanson also struggled, with his decline being mostly related to lower power production. That said, Swanson deserves credit for still playing solid defense at shortstop. Nico Hoerner was the third veteran to take a step back. Like Bellinger, he was primarily affected by a decline in batted ball luck.
Overall, the bullpen performed well, but the team struggled to settle on its top options. Adbert Alzolay blew a save on Opening Day and ended up giving the team six inconsistent weeks before being waived due to a forearm injury that eventually required surgery. Julian Merryweather was another late-inning reliever who after a successful 2023 season struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness this year. Hector Neris did his best to replace him as closer, but was far from dominant and was ultimately released in August.
Off-season plans
With many veterans signed through next season and plenty of prospects about to make their debuts, the Cubs will head into the offseason in a good position.
The infield is set. Michael Busch had some ups and downs during his first full season in the majors, but he showed enough potential to open 2025 at first base. He will be joined by middle infielders Hoerner (second base) and Swanson (shortstop). Isaac Paredes arrived from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline to man third base and provide power from the middle of the lineup. Miguel Amaya showed improved offensive ability in the second half, which has propelled him into the role of the team’s No. 1 catcher.
The status of the outfield will be up to Bellinger, who can opt not to renew the final two years of his contract. The assumption here is that Bellinger will stay with the Cubs, as his market wasn’t strong last winter and won’t be any better now coming off a mediocre season. Assuming he stays, Bellinger will play right field, with Happ in left. Former top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong made significant strides in the second half and will be the team’s center fielder. Suzuki finished the season as a designated hitter, but can play right field if needed.
The rotation is in excellent shape, as Imanaga, Steele, Taillon and Assad remain under contract. There are also plenty of options for the final starting spot, headlined by Ben Brown, who missed much of 2024 due to a neck injury but had some solid performances when healthy. Jordan Wicks and Hayden Wesneski are also intriguing rotation options, as they have yet to hit their primes.
The bullpen is the one area that will need help from outside the organization. Porter Hodge emerged as an effective high-leverage option during the second half of the season and should be a major part of the 2025 puzzle. While there are other relievers who showed potential, none of them can be relied upon to open next season in a late-inning role.
Overall, this is a team that has plenty of depth but lacks star power. Team president Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins could consider putting together a combination of solid veterans and notable prospects to add one of the best hitters in baseball to the lineup.
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Perspectives on the horizon
The Cubs have a deep group of prospects who are ready to contribute next season. Matt Shaw, the team’s first-round pick in the 2023 draft, has progressed to Triple-A and could have a spot in the infield at Wrigley Field at some point next season. Shaw has a balanced offensive profile, with a solid combination of power, speed and on-base ability. Defensively, he can play second base, shortstop or third base. Shaw could be joined in the infield by James Triantos, who is a speedy thrower on the bases and gives himself plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills by limiting strikeouts. Triantos primarily played second base in 2024 after previously playing the hot corner.
Owen Caissie might be closer to the majors than Shaw, as he has a full season in Triple-A under his belt. The 22-year-old has a strong arm in right field and should develop into a power-hitting, on-base guy with regularity in the majors. Caissie is joined in Iowa’s outfield by Kevin Alcantara, who offers the advantage of being able to play center field.
Moises Ballesteros is arguably the club’s most unique prospect. A 5-foot-7 catcher, Ballesteros has a stocky build and will have to prove he can handle the rigors of baseball’s toughest defensive position. As a catcher, he’s a fantastic offensive prospect. As a first baseman, he wouldn’t have as much appeal.
The Cubs have fewer pitching prospects knocking on the door, but Cade Horton stands out as someone who could soon join the rotation. The seventh overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Horton pitched just 34 1/3 innings in 2024 due to a right latissimus dorsi muscle strainHis lack of development this year means he’ll open 2025 in Triple-A, but Horton could be a factor in Chicago in the summer.
Goals for 2025
It’s easy to see that the Cubs can win the NL Central next year. After all, with all due respect to the Brewers, Chicago’s roster is just as talented as they are. This team could take a step forward simply if some of its veterans bounce back from disappointing seasons, and the Cubs will be much improved if some of their top-quality prospects light up the offense next summer. The club also has plenty of rotation options, and there are ways management can bolster the bullpen in free agency. The NL Central is wide open, and the Cubs have as good a chance as anyone to take over the division.
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Fantasy approach
The fantasy outlook for Cubs players mirrors the real-life situation, as the team has solid depth but few stars. Imanaga and Steele will likely be the first Chicago players off the board, as fantasy scouts look for a No. 2 starter who can provide serviceable ratings and a strikeout per inning.
Position players profile as mid-round picks who will provide excellent depth but won’t lead their teams to victory. Hoerner, Bellinger, Swanson, Suzuki, Happ and Crow-Armstrong fit that profile, with Hoerner and Crow-Armstrong being the two who are far more valuable in roto formats than in points leagues due to their base-stealing abilities.