FanGraphs WAR projections are all-in on the Cubs’ position players in 2025

FanGraphs' annual ZiPS projections are out and, woo boy, they are high on the Chicago Cubs' position player mix. The model loves the addition of Kyle Tucker (no surprise there) and is also bullish on what the roster looks like after the team unloaded Cody Bellinger and his $27.5 million salary in a trade with the Yankees earlier this week.

Now, if you're like me, you immediately assumed Tucker would lead the charge - but that's not the case. Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson leads the way at 4.9fWAR which, as Dan Szymborski at FanGraphs points out, wouldn't be anything too crazy for the veteran - that's the exact mark he posted in his first year with the Cubs.

The model is bullish on Swanson's double-play partner, Nico Hoerner, pegging him for 4.3 fWAR at second base. Again, this actually falls right in line with what he's done historically: he hit that mark on the nose in 2022 and exceeded it (4.9 fWAR in 2023) before dropping to 3.9 fWAR this year.

Looking at the Cubs' ZiPS depth chart projection position-by-position, a few spots on the diamond really stand out. Entering 2024, it pegged the Cubs for 2.2 fWAR in center field and 2.4 fWAR in right. Now, those marks have risen dramatically, with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alexander Canario projected for 4.0 FWAR in center and a Tucker-Seiya Suzuki tandem accounting for 4.5 fWAR in right.

Slotting Suzuki into more of a regular DH role also dramatically improves the team's outlook there, up to 3.5 fWAR compared to last year's 1.6 fWAR. Rookie third baseman Matt Shaw projects well, combining with Gage Workman for 2.7 fWAR at the hot corner and Michael Busch projects an identical mark across the diamond at first.

The model is pointing to an improvement in left from Ian Happ (up to 3.7 fWAR from 2.6 fWAR a year ago) - and a similar jump behind the plate from the Cubs' catching tandem of Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly.

There's still work to be done on the pitching side of things, with the rotation headlined by Justin Steele (3.3 fWAR) and Shota Imanaga (3.1 fWAR), followed by newcomer Matthew Boyd (2.1 fWAR). Jameson Taillon, Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad all project for below 2.0 fWAR - it seems highly likely the Cubs add at least one more starting pitcher before Opening Day regardless.

There's also plenty of room for growth in the pen, but the model does look at the team's current mix of arms more favorably than it did the group that headed to camp last spring. With pitching at the top of Jed Hoyer's list right now, we'll definitely see some changes here in the weeks and months to come.

All this to say: the outlook is bright on the North Side. With $50+ million to play with, the front office can continue to add to a team that already looks more well-rounded and potent than the one we headed into 2024 with - now we wait and see if these guys live up to these projections during the 2025 season.