Chicago Cubs don’t need Bryce Harper to win big next season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, we’re not talking about the holidays. Hot Stove season is upon us and Chicago Cubs fans are stoked.

The 2018-19 offseason is officially underway – and it’s shaping up to be a doozy. No one has a clue where the likes of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper will wind up. That being said, more than a few Chicago Cubs fans are clamoring for the latter to come to the Windy City.

But here’s a truth you need to hear. The Cubs do not need to land one of these guys to remain contenders in the National League.

Chicago has been more prominently linked to Harper than Machado, but given the questions surrounding Addison Russell and his future, you can’t rule out either guy.

As exciting as the idea of the Cubs bringing in a guy with the talent caliber of Harper, the club does not need him to contend. This team faced many challenges in 2018, namely injuries and inconsistency. Despite these issues, they still found a way almost to win the National League Central and, for the first time in history, reached the postseason for the fourth-straight year.