The Chicago Cubs have turned some heads this offseason with roster moves and acquisitions– “some” heads.
In the face of predictions making them a post-season team, there are also plenty who haven’t been impressed by their moves so far this offseason.
Apparently among those is an unnamed “top MLB insider” in an Essentially Sports piece, who went so far as to say that the team, which finished third last season (with a record of 83-79) in the NL Central division, will also finish third in the coming season.
Third Place With A Bullet?
President of the Chicago Cubs talks to the media before a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
“I think it will be more bold for you to say that they are a third-place team on the opening day when we do our actual season predictions,” the insider is quoted as saying
Sadly, this could actually be seen as a reasonable prediction at the moment.
NL Central: Not As Bad As Advertised
The Milwaukee Brewers always seem to be in contention and have to be considered division favorite because of that. Despite losing shortstop Willy Adames to the San Francisco Giants via free agency and closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees via trade, their core remains strong and they will probably be favored to take the division by many experts.
The St. Louis Cardinals will come into the 2025 season without first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and reliever Andrew Kittredge, among others. However, just like the Brewers, the Cardinals have a strong organization that seems to make them perennial contenders.
The Cincinnati Reds have a promising young ball club full of raw talent, plus they brought aboard new manager Terry Francona.
The Cubs are not going to march into the 2025 season, two major moves different than 2024, and walk away with the division title.
The Chicago Cubs Offseason Is Incomplete
The trade for Houston Astros star Kyle Tucker brought a smile to many Cubs fans’ faces, but the jubilation was tempered days later by a trading of Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, which could only be described as a salary dump.
One star coming in versus another star– albeit a lesser one– going out is not much of a flex for those making the case that the Cubs are really “all in” when it comes to winning the division and making a real playoff run.
If the Cubs don’t go ahead and invest the $50+ million over the next two seasons they saved by dealing Bellinger, the move to trade him has to be considered a bust.
Expectations are that the Cubs WILL invest that money elsewhere, however, and the primary focal point, according to reports, is the starting rotation. The team has already missed out on most of the high-end free agent starters and they look to be an underdog to land Japanese free agent sensation Roki Sasaki. They also don’t look to interested in grabbing a high-end closer from the free agency talent pool.
But Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office like to play their cards close to their chest and not broadcast the big moves they plan on making. So, there may be something big brewing on the horizon. By all accounts, the team HAS been active in pursuing deals and obtaining pieces this offseason.
So, is third place– again– a distinct possibility?
Yes.
But so is first place.
The pass-or-fail assessment will be easier to make once we see how the rest of the offseason plays out.
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