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3 bright spots in the midst of a disappointing Chicago Cubs season
Although the Chicago Cubs have spiraled out of control, not all things are bad on the north side.
Given that we're just over the halfway mark of the Chicago Cubs' 2024 season, the shadow of doubt cast over this team with rumors of becoming sellers at the MLB trade deadline is all there is to discuss. Therefore, I wanted to point out some of the bright spots the team does have going for them. Regarding 2024, the season's outcome looks grim, but we can at least be grateful that the Cubs have these three things going for them.
3 bright spots in 2024 - 1. The starting rotation
You wouldn't think the Cubs' record would be what it is, considering the starting rotation has been stellar through the first half of the season. Simply put, if the bullpen was at least league average, the fact is that this team would not be leaning towards selling at the trade deadline.
Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Javier Assad have all been fantastic through the first half of the season, and it's a shame their production has been a complete waste. It's hard to imagine a team with a rotation such as this not to be leading their division, especially the lackluster NL Central, but the other areas of the team have been so bad that here we are. Thankfully, nobody from the rotation is leaving for the next couple of years, so the Cubs at least have something they can continue to build on.
3 bright spots in 2024 - 2. Michael Busch
Michael Busch was the only actual addition to the Cubs' lineup this season after being brought in via trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Busch leads the team in OPS while carrying a .259 average, ten homers, and 30 driven-in. The strike-out rate is high, at 32.4%, but his 130 wRC+ is solid, given that this is his first full big league season. He also currently sits in the 94th percentile of BB%. Landing him for 2024 was and is still a bright spot for the team, and moving forward, he should only continue to get better.
However, the best part about having Busch is the Cubs having their lefty bat locked up long-term at first base, given that he doesn't even enter arbitration until 2027. We've seen him go on a tear; pitchers adjust to him, then he adjusts back and continues improving at the plate. It's clear he will be an exciting part of the team's future. Although we criticize the moves Jed Hoyer didn't make, trading for Busch was certainly one we have to give him credit for.
3 bright spots in 2024 - 3. Prospect production
Last but not least, it's been good to see some of the younger guys starting to pan out at the highest level. Ben Brown looks as good as advertised. Luke Little had a rough start to the season but has since rebounded. Pete Crow-Armstrong has many believers, including the team's front office, even if his batting average over the season still leaves much to be desired. Still, he has looked better lately, especially after facing Zach Wheeler, where he recorded back-to-back doubles and a nine-pitch at-bat in his third appearance. Porter Hodge has solidified a role in the bullpen moving forward, as he has been incredible in his short stint in the majors.
So, in the end, it's not all bad just because the team doesn't make the postseason this year. They were supposed to, and the team should have been constructed better. For now, we can only monitor who can be a part of this team's future. The team's farm system is starting to show up at the highest level, and this will be the primary focus for the remainder of the year once the team opens up roster spots by selling off its assets at the deadline.
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