Cubs' biggest strength in 2024 will still be a huge offseason focus

Other familiar faces who could play a role at some point in the year

We already know the Cubs aren't expecting Ben Brown to play a role in the starting rotation early next season. The right-hander suffered a neck injury back in June and it lingered, causing issues to the point it ended his season in August. At this point, the hope is simply that he comes back and is feeling good when pitchers and catchers report to camp in four months' time.

Top pitching prospect Cade Horton is also a major question mark after an injury-shortened 2024 campaign. He's likely ticketed for Iowa, where he made four ineffective starts this year before getting shut down.

With Kyle Hendricks likely out of the picture after more than a decade in the Cubs starting rotation, left-hander Jordan Wicks and righty Hayden Wesneski will likely get some starts throughout the year, although the latter has a good deal of experience in the pen, as well. Caleb Kilian is another name to keep an eye on, after he split time between the pen and rotation at Triple-A.