3. The bullpen
Even though the Cubs traded for former Astros closer Ryan Pressly, the 36-year-old told Chicago media that his being the designated closer is not set in stone. Meaning Spring Training will be a chance for him to compete for the job with the rest of the Cubs bullpen, with 2024 breakout rookie Porter Hodge seemingly his biggest competition. The Cubs also acquired Ryan Brasier in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brasier likely will be included in the late-inning mix out of the bullpen.
The Cubs will also have to sort out who will get the fifth rotation spot between Javier Assad or Colin Rea with Jordan Wicks also in the mix. Since Wicks has minor league options remaining on his deal, it would make more sense to start him in Iowa to begin the season and act as depth in case of injury, which would make it a two-horse race between Assad and Rea.
Assad struggled to make it deep into ballgames at times last year, and he was only able to compile 147 innings despite making 29 starts. We've seen him excel in the long-relief role in the past so it may make more sense to give him a spot in the bullpen with Rea as the fifth starter. Although Rea had a relatively high ERA of 4.25 (4.75 FIP) last year, he set a career-high with 167.2 innings pitched. As the fifth starter, eating innings will be Rea's main priority so barring any sudden addition to the starting rotation, he is a good bet to begin the season in the rotation.
The remaining spots will probably shake out to Caleb Thielbar, Julian Merryweather, Tyson Miller, Eli Morgan, and Nate Pearson. Ben Brown could be a factor as well, but he also has minor league options remaining so beginning in Triple-A could be on the table. He wouldn't stay there for long though. If/when injuries arise, Brown is at the top of the list to plug a hole in the bullpen and his pitch mix could be lethal as a reliever.