Cubs Facing Potential Offseason Loss of Cody Bellinger.
The Chicago Cubs’ offense has struggled throughout the 2024 season, leaving them 5 games out of the NL Wild Card with under a month remaining. This offensive woe is a major reason behind their playoff push falling short.
One of the key contributors to the Cubs’ lineup, Cody Bellinger, could potentially depart in free agency this offseason. While Bellinger has dealt with injuries and a slight decline in production compared to his 2023 campaign, he has still been a valuable piece.
Bellinger is currently slashing .263/.324/.420 with 15 home runs and an OPS+ of 108. This power output would be the lowest of his career in a season where he’s played more than 95 games.
The Cubs’ lack of home runs and extra-base hits has been a glaring issue all year, as they rank in the bottom half of MLB in OPS. Losing Bellinger would only exacerbate these offensive problems.
According to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, there is a real possibility Bellinger opts out of his contract and signs with the deep-pocketed New York Mets in free agency. The Mets could view him as a fallback plan if they miss out on signing Juan Soto.
While re-signing Bellinger would be ideal, the Cubs may have to consider letting him walk and using that money to address their offensive woes in other ways. It’s a tough decision, but one the front office may have to seriously consider given the team’s struggles this season.
MLB Insider Reports There is ‘Internal Friction’ Inside Chicago Cubs Front Office.
A Season of Disappointment for the Chicago Cubs.
The 2024 season was not the one the Chicago Cubs had envisioned. After narrowly missing the playoffs by just one game in 2023, the Cubs’ ownership group and front office made bold proclamations – they were going to put together a roster that would contend for the postseason.
Their first major move was signing Craig Counsell to a record-breaking contract, making him the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball history. However, after that splashy signing, the Cubs were one of the last franchises to add any players in free agency.
Eventually, the Cubs were able to bring in some notable additions, including signing star international pitcher Shota Imanaga, star reliever Hector Neris, and reuniting with Cody Bellinger after it initially looked like that reunion wouldn’t happen. Still, many were left wondering if the Cubs could, and should, have done more to truly ensure they would be contenders in the NL Central and the National League as a whole.
Sadly, those concerns proved to be well-founded. Despite a hot month of August that briefly inserted them back into the Wild Card race, the Cubs now find themselves five games out of the final playoff spot, making them a longshot to reach the postseason.
President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has stated that the team has its sights set on 2025, citing the team’s trade deadline acquisition of Isaac Paredes and their decision to hold onto many of their moveable pieces instead of selling. However, until the Cubs can actually return to the playoffs, this will likely be viewed as little more than lip service.
With the offseason approaching and some high-profile players potentially hitting the market, all eyes will be on how the Cubs operate this winter. But before they can even get to that point, there are already reports of “internal friction” within the Cubs’ front office.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, “high-ranking officials” have acknowledged this internal friction, despite the team’s disappointing performance on the field. Nightengale didn’t provide any further details on the nature of these issues, but they seem to have been bubbling under the surface for some time.
Hoyer’s contract runs through the 2025 season, so he is expected to remain in his role as the Cubs’ architect. However, if the team continues to underwhelm and fails to reach the playoffs, there could be changes coming in the future.
So far, Hoyer’s tenure as the Cubs’ president of baseball operations has been somewhat underwhelming, despite his success in building up the team’s farm system into one of the top pipelines in the league. The 2024 season has only added to the growing frustration around the Cubs’ organization and their inability to return to the postseason.
Chicago Cubs Predicted To Make Massive Move In This Area.
The Chicago Cubs have shown the ability to be a very competitive baseball team late in the season. Unfortunately, it looks like they were only able to turn things around and start winning a bit too late.
Despite their late-season surge, the Cubs now find themselves five games out of the final playoff spot, making a return to the postseason a longshot at best. With their disappointing 2024 campaign nearing its end, the focus now shifts to the offseason and how President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ front office will look to get the team back on track for 2025.
Addressing the Roster Needs
Looking at the current Cubs roster, there are a few key areas that will likely need to be addressed this offseason:
Catcher:The Cubs have seen some promising late-season production from Miguel Amaya, and they could also look to call up top prospect Moises Ballesteros. But the catcher position remains an area that could use more consistent production.
Closer: This has been a major Achilles heel for the Cubs all season long. Finding a legitimate, elite closer will be a top priority for the front office.
Offense/Pitching: While the Cubs don’t have any glaring holes in their lineup or starting rotation, they could explore adding a big bat or another top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. These aren’t pressing needs, but they’re areas where the team could look to upgrade.
Aggressive Offseason Approach
According to reports, the Cubs are expected to be one of the busier teams in the upcoming MLB offseason. Bleacher Report has suggested that Chicago could be among the biggest spenders, with the team potentially pursuing a top free agent starting pitcher like Corbin Burnes.
“Cody Bellinger probably isn’t going to decline his player option, so this entire offense figures to be back again next season. However, the Cubs are going to be a major player for at least one of the top starting pitchers on the market. And if really all they do this winter is sign Corbin Burnes, that would still make them one of the biggest spenders, because he ain’t coming cheap.”
Adding a pitcher like Burnes to a rotation that already includes Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon would give the Cubs a truly formidable starting pitching trio – a scary proposition for any opposing lineup.
This offseason could mark a shift in mindset for the Cubs’ front office. Hoyer has been relatively conservative in recent years when it comes to making big splashes in free agency. But with the team not far away from contending, this may be the time for the Cubs to get aggressive and make the necessary moves to push them back into the World Series hunt.
Chicago Cubs Should Consider Reunion with Veteran Slugger.
The 2024 season has not gone as planned for the Chicago Cubs. After narrowly missing the playoffs last year, the organization made bold moves in the offseason, including hiring manager Craig Counsell on a record-breaking contract. However, their efforts to build a contending roster have fallen short, leaving the Cubs five games out of the final Wild Card spot with little time left to make a push.
Despite a hot stretch in August that briefly inserted them back into the playoff race, the Cubs’ postseason hopes have all but vanished. Team president Jed Hoyer has already shifted his focus to 2025, stating the organization has its sights set on contending that season.
Offseason Priorities
With another October without playoff baseball on the North Side, Hoyer will have his work cut out for him this offseason. The Cubs’ roster has several areas that could use improvement, including the catching position and the bullpen’s closer role.
While the starting rotation projects to be a strength in 2025 with the likes of Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon, Hoyer may look to add an elite arm like Corbin Burnes to really bolster the group.
Offensively, the Cubs could benefit from adding a proven veteran bat, potentially in the outfield. One name to watch could be Joc Pederson, who spent part of the 2021 season in Chicago and is enjoying a strong campaign with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Fiscal Restraint Looms
The challenge for Hoyer will be finding ways to improve the roster without the Cubs ownership group opening the checkbook for big-money free agents. In recent years, the front office has shown a preference for more fiscally responsible moves, rather than pursuing the top stars on the market.
This offseason, Hoyer may need to get creative, targeting quality players on team-friendly deals who can make an impact without breaking the bank. Bringing back a familiar face like Pederson could be one such move that fits the Cubs’ modus operandi.
Looking Ahead to 2025
While the 2024 season has been a disappointment, the Cubs have shown flashes of their potential, particularly with their late-season surge. If Hoyer can make the right additions this winter, there’s reason to believe the team can bounce back and contend in 2025, as the organization has targeted.
The offseason will be crucial for the Cubs as they look to get back on track and end their postseason drought. With a mix of internal development and strategic acquisitions, Hoyer has the opportunity to put the Cubs in a position to compete for a playoff spot next year and beyond.
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