3 early red flags for the Chicago Cubs entering the 2023 season

The Chicago Cubs front office has done a great job this offseason regarding keeping their promise towards opening the checkbook and fielding a competitive team in 2023. With the additions of Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Jameson Taillon, Eric Hosmer, Brad Boxberger, and Tucker Barnhart, the Cubs have vastly improved from where they were just a season ago. There's still a need to work out a couple of kinks, but for the most part, they look to be in a position to compete for an NL Central division title this year.

In position and being favored are two very different things, though. It takes a lot of work to go from winning 74 games to being a favorite to win your division two months later. So, should the Cubs miss the postseason in 2023, it isn't a failure by the front office as long as noticeable improvement is displayed on the field. If they want to get to that point where they can be viewed as a favorite, they must start by addressing these three red flags that still stick out.

3 red flags for the Cubs' 2023 season - Ian Happ is the only power lefty

As it sits, the Cubs only boast one power lefty in the lineup in Ian Happ. Of course, you can throw Cody Bellinger in that mix should he return to form, but he's not quite a clear-cut lock to do so. The newest left-handed bat, Eric Hosmer, has never been a serious power-hitter, and although he should provide league-average offense, the Cubs missing on Michael Conforto was not ideal. The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma nicely illustrated in depth the Cubs' lack of lefty-power as well, and you can check that out here.

Assuming the Cubs are in contention around the trade deadline, this is likely an area of need. They could also trade before the season starts, but getting their hands on a frontline starting pitcher is more beneficial at this point in the offseason. If Matt Mervis should pan out, he also provides a nice spark in the left-handed power department. However, at this point, he is still in the uncertainty category at the major league level, so more will be revealed.