3 Cubs players who could see large role in 2025, and 2 who should not

The end of the Chicago Cubs' 2024 season is nearing, and the focus is beginning to shift to the 2025 season.

The Cubs will not admit that fact until they are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, but any fan should begin looking at the 2024 roster with an eye toward how the team can improve this offseason.

Changes will be needed this offseason. If the Cubs do not make the postseason in 2025, it means that Jed Hoyer would have gone his entire contract as the team's President of Baseball operation without reaching the postseason once.

While the Cubs certainly would not fire Hoyer this offseason, if the team misses the postseason in 2025, there's no pathway Tom Ricketts should ask the executive to return.

The issue is that Hoyer has yet to have confidence of the fanbase. Hoyer seems to have placed an emphasis on the Cubs finding internal solutions to their problems rather than being aggressive with external moves. It's a philosophy that not only fits Hoyer's approach to being the decision-maker within a baseball organization but also the contractual status of the team's position players.

If Cody Bellinger does not opt-out after the season, the Cubs' starting lineup is just about penciled in. This means Hoyer will either need to be creative this offseason in making improvements or shift the importance of some players on the roster.

With that in mind, here is a look at three Cubs' players who should have expanded their roles in 2025 and two who should not.