2. Hayden Wesneski
Cubs manager Craig Counsell is an admitted fan of pitcher Hayden Wesneski but the issue is that the former top pitching prospect had a season's worth of development wasted by David Ross last season.
Wesneski opened the 2023 season as the Cubs' fifth starter but struggles led to a demotion to a Triple-A Iowa a month into the season. Injuries and poor performance led to Ross turning to Wesneski as a potential solution in the bullpen but there was no sense of direction given.
The biggest thing that the Cubs can do for Wesneski is determine whether his future with the team will be as a member of the starting rotation or the bullpen. Given Counsell's confidence in Wesneski, a return to the rotation should not be out of the question. If that's the case, the best thing the Cubs can do is stash Wesneski at Triple-A as he regains his form as a starting pitcher.