Early look at 2025 MLB Free Agency suggests an opportunity for the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs appear destined to spend another offseason where they avoid swimming in the deep waters of Major League Baseball free agency.

There is some concern about that mindset. Juan Soto is the type of free agent that every team in Major League Baseball should be interested in. Soto's sweepstakes have begun with nearly every team checking in on his market. Even the Tampa Bay Rays have made a call to Scott Boras to express an interest in Soto. Meanwhile, no matter the messenger, the Cubs are comfortable with sending out signals that they will not be involved in the conversation for Soto.

The Cubs have a need for a superstar and that need also coincides with a need for an impact bat in the middle fo their starting lineup. Soto would check both of those boxes for the Cubs. Instead, the Cubs likely will roll out a starting lineup in 2025 that will mirror the one they had in 2024.

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Eventually, there is going to come a need for the Cubs to dive into the deepest end of free agency. That won't be this offseason but circumstance could dictate next offseason being that moment for the organization.

In an early look at the players who will be free agents after the 2025 season, the list includes Toronto Blue Jays' first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Houston Astros' outfielder Kyle Tucker.

In theory, next offseason, the Cubs would have more of pathway to adding an impact bat in free agnecy. Cody Bellinger has a $25MM club option that will likely be declined in the even that his power returns next season. Assuming the Cubs are also move one or two of their top position-player prospects in a trade this offseason, the flexibility will be there to add an impact bat next offseason.

There should be no reason for the Cubs not to be involved in the free-agent conversations for Tucker or Guerrero next offseason. If they willingly chose to sit out of those talks as well, then chances are the Cubs will remain a team that is destined to fail at succeeding on the margins.