Chicago Cubs: Imagination, intrigue and the case for a 2025 starting lineup

Whichever cliché you want to use to describe the Chicago Cubs at this year’s trade deadline does not take away from the immense feeling of dread that swept across Wrigleyville when the club shipped off its core, spread throughout both the National League and American League.

The challenge Jed Hoyer faced leading up to the deadline was no small feat. Work to build the next great core, keep the fans happy, or some combination of both? Whether they admit it or not, Fans did not have any better solution than Hoyer — despite the countless armchair quarterbacks voicing their displeasure.

It sucks, truly. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Báez were the heart and soul. Now, they go forth and have a shot at a postseason and possible World Series appearance. However, it is not an ‘even’ year, so the San Francisco Giants and, by extension, Kris Bryant are out.

Looking forward is the move now, however, and thankfully the Cubs landed some nice returns for the “Big 3” to add to their already underrated system. So, looking a few years down the road, what will the 2025 team possibly look like? Well, we have much of that question answered and a clearer picture.

Chicago Cubs: Transitioning to the next great core

As is customary to all good things that come to an end, we tend to catastrophize, believing that there will never be another thing as great as what had just been, and that is not true. In this case, it is the loss of the core that made baseball fun again in Wrigleyville.

We will always have those memories, and now, it is time for this club to make new memories, which begins with a new infield chock-full of intriguing young prospects. Starting at first base, expect it to be Bryce Ball. Think Anthony Rizzo but taller. Ball came to Chicago in a deal for outfielder Joc Pederson, a strong return on a rental.

Ball slashed .329/.395/.628 in 2019, his first professional season. Combining for 17 home runs and 52 RBI, the former Dallas Baptist star showed the power that made him an intriguing draft prospect. He has struggled this season, but first base is his spot, and he should be the next great corner infielder in Chicago.

Holding down the middle infield will be no small feat after Javier Báez brought the fire every night with his defensive wizardry. Thankfully, the Cubs have several big names who will continue to grow. Fathoming a guess specifically for 2025, I would imagine former Chicago White Sox infielder Nick Madrigal and last summer’s first-round draft pick, Ed Howard, as the central tandem.

Without going too much into every name individually, the Cubs have a crazy amount of middle infield depth in their system. Based on FanGraphs’ top Cubs prospects, five of the top 15 are classified as middle infield. Not a bad problem to have. Reginald Preciado and Cristian Hernandez could also be the guys and do not forget about Chase Strumpf, who may find himself as the odd man out in a crowded group.

To close out the infield, the hope at the hot corner will be the newest draft pick, James Triantos. Considered a top-50 prep prospect last summer, the latest Cub instead shifted his declaration up a year. His above-average hitting abilities and bat speed can give fans something to look forward to as Triantos has impossibly large shoes to fill. Everything with this infield could change by next year, but how it stands now, this is how I believe it to shake out.

Chicago Cubs: Speed will rule this outfield

From a two-sport athlete in high school to shifting focus strictly to baseball, Brennen Davis was the prospect in the 2018 draft who was primarily passed over. Since he joined the organization three years ago, Davis has not finished a season with a wRC+ lower than 130, a remarkable feat on its own. The Cubs see Davis as their guy in center field. Davis sees himself in center field. By 2025 expect Davis to have been in the lineup for three seasons as a premier toolsy player.

Two of the more intriguing outfield prospects, Ismael Mena and Jordan Nwogu, would complement Davis perfectly. All three are listed as center fielders. However, we know how that usually goes in the long run. Mena was acquired as a part of the Yu Darvish deal last winter. Nwogu landed in Chicago as a third-round selection in 2020.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis
• Cubs might start to limit Justin Steele’s workload soon
• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel

The Cubs will need a strong core in the outfield and a core that learns and understands how to communicate. Veteran and morale leader Jason Heyward will be a free agent after the 2024 season, and despite the massive contract and inconsistent bat, the Cubs will lose that leadership.

A third name who could be in consideration is recently promoted, Nelson Velazquez. The 22-year-old began his year in High-A before the recent jump. However, Nelson found serious power and mashed 12 home runs in just 69 games. Thus far at Tennessee, Velazquez is hitting .273 with a 185 wRC+. He has the time, and the Cubs can develop his talents well before he hits his prime.

Alexander Canario, who the Cubs acquired in the Kris Bryant deal, is primed to be a staple. Canario is only 21 years old, and through five games at High-A with Myrtle Beach, is hitting .389 with a 165 wRC+. He could end up being the best outfield prospect not named Brennen Davis.

In the deal with the New York Mets for Javier Báez, Pete Crow-Armstrong represents yet another superb outfield bat. The 19-year-old was hitting .417 at Low-A St. Lucie before the trade and his left-handedness should complement Davis nicely. The 2025 season will be right in line with where I hope the Cubs have his development.

Outfielders are a dime a dozen much of the time. However, the Cubs have some unique talents in the wings, and they need to continue to take advantage of the talent. Then, the Cubs will be okay.