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3 reasons why the Chicago Cubs can still contend in 2025
This isn't 2021. The Chicago Cubs still have their eye on competing in the immediate future.
As we approach the MLB Trade Deadline, the Chicago Cubs are shrouded in rumors of selling, with names even being mentioned of who could be on the move. I am highly pessimistic that the Cubs will make the type of moves being suggested. They would love to get Cody Bellinger's contract off the books if he is not going to compete at an All-Star level, but critical pieces such as Nico Hoerner being sent out don't make sense.
The Cubs don't need to enter another full-scale rebuild. They are close to contention. Don't confuse disappointing this year with disappointing in 2021 when it was apparent the rebuild was coming. This team is being constructed slower than we wish, but they are still building up to contention, and selling valuable assets for more prospects that may or may not pan out is just not conducive at this stage of the game. The Cubs are almost there, and here are three reasons why the team will contend in 2025.
3 reasons the Cubs will contend in 2025 - 3. More prospects are coming
It's easy to overlook what the younger players on the team are accomplishing, given the team's overall record, but the Cubs' prospects are panning out at the major league level. Especially on the pitching side, where homegrown talents Justin Steele and Javier Assad are already performing at an elite level, the younger arms have a high ceiling. Porter Hodge and Luke Little have done very well so far, and Hunter Bigge has now come up to show what he is made of.
The team also has Cade Horton and other prospects who will continue supplementing the pitching staff. Top 100 prospects Matt Shaw and Owen Caissie are close on the hitting side. James Triantos and Moises Ballesteros are other names we will keep a close eye on. The Cubs' farm is deep and spilling over to the highest level. That trend will continue as time goes on. Undoubtedly, there's a lot of exciting talent on the way to Chicago.
2. The bullpen will be reconstructed
Even if the Cubs sell at the deadline, it won't be a complete teardown like we've seen in the recent past. This team is trending in the right direction and needs the right supporting cast to solidify itself and contend. If you've watched all year, you know the team needs major upgrades in the bullpen. Those upgrades are going to come this winter, at the very least. There is positively zero chance that Jed Hoyer will leave this bullpen in shambles, given that it's the primary catalyst for the team not being in a playoff spot at this juncture.
Looking ahead to free agency, there are a plethora of solid arms that can provide bullpen help. Brooks Raley, Kirby Yates, Wandy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Tanner Scott, and many more are unrestricted free agents. Thankfully, the Cubs won't need to spend very big in the offseason to fine-tune this roster, and the 25.0M coming off the roster is more than enough for at least two of those arms. That mark is before we see what happens with Cody Bellinger at the trade deadline, so that number may substantially increase. Regardless, the Cubs will reinforce the weakest part of their roster.
1. The starting rotation is already elite
It doesn't sound like something you would typically hear during a losing season, but the starting rotation for the Cubs has been top-notch all season and will continue to be. Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, and Jameson Taillon have multiple years left before free agency. The 5th spot has been a revolving door for most of the season, but if somebody like Cade Horton winds up coming up and anchoring a spot, this rotation will be dangerous.
As we approach the trade deadline, the Cubs' rotation is 4th best in the National League. If it wasn't for those dreaded bullpen woes, this team's rotation is deep playoff run-ready already. You have four starters who are all dialed in, and it isn't out of the realm of possibility that Jed Hoyer gets aggressive and adds another top-tier starter the way they should have with Tyler Glasnow over the winter. Still, this rotation is the number one building block the Cubs have that will lead them to the promised land.
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