5 optimistic predictions for the Chicago Cubs in 2023

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After a fruitful offseason that has given the Chicago Cubs a much-needed facelift, this may be a year we can expect this team to finish above .500 and compete for the NL Central. To do that, a lot of players will have to step up their game, but the above-average performances of these guys are not out of the realm of possibility. Here are five optimistic predictions that could lead to the Cubs returning to the playoffs in 2023.

Chicago Cubs v Philadelphia Phillies / Rich Schultz/GettyImages

1. Seiya Suzuki will hit 25+ Home Runs

Seiya Suzuki signed a five-year deal with the Cubs before the 2022 season, and he was expected to be a high-level outfielder. His first year was plagued by injury and he only played in 111 games, but he still showed off his power by hitting 14 home runs and 22 doubles. If he can stay healthy, there is a chance he can be the slugging outfielder the Cubs need in their relative power-scarce lineup.

During his time playing in Japan, Suzuki had six seasons where he hit more than 25 home runs, and he set a career-high in 2021 with 38. Suzuki's other accolades include four All-Star appearances, two batting championships, and three gold gloves while playing for the Hiroshima Carp. After a year of getting used to MLB ballparks, hopefully, Suzuki can take a big step forward with the glove in addition to his bat.

World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Houston Astros - Game Five / Jamie Squire/GettyImages

2. Cody Bellinger returns to MVP form

The Cubs just signed Cody Bellinger to a one-year deal worth $17.5 million, meaning he is looking to get paid next offseason. To do that, he will need to show signs of his former self at the plate. While it will be hard to exceed the 7.7 WAR MVP campaign in 2019, getting anything close to the numbers he put up in his first three seasons would suffice.

Cody Bellinger Stats	2017-2019	2020-2022
Home Runs	111	41
RBIs	288	134
Doubles	88	46
Hits	443	209
Walks	228	99

Granted, the shortened 2020 season skews these numbers a bit, but the two full seasons after that were still less than satisfactory for Bellinger's production. He is primed for a big bounce back, and it would be mutually beneficial for both him and the Cubs in 2023. Bellinger is looking to earn himself a long-term deal, and the Cubs need a solid Center Fielder until Pete Crow-Armstrong is ready for the big leagues.

Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs / Matt Dirksen/GettyImages

3. Justin Steele will throw 180 innings

During his first year in the rotation, Justin Steele started 24 games to the tune of a 3.18 ERA for the Cubs. Over those games, the 27-year-old lefty tossed 119 innings while striking out 126 batters. Although the first half of the year was a bit suspect, Steele flipped the script and turned in a stellar second half that solidified his spot in the rotation. If he can stay in his current trajectory, the Cubs may have a legitimate top-of-the-line left-handed starter on their hands for the first time since Jon Lester departed the team. Steele also hasn't even hit arbitration yet, meaning he is under club control for several years to come.

Oct 26, 2022; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Matt Mervis plays for the Mesa Solar / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. Matt Mervis gets called up and stays up

The Cubs could use a power-hitting lefty in their lineup now that Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber are no longer around. And a guy by the name of Matt Mervis just so happens to fit that bill and he is coming off a season where he surged his way through the Minors to make it to Triple-A Iowa. Across three levels, Mervis slugged 40 doubles and 36 Home Runs while driving in 119 runs. The 6'4 first baseman is exactly the kind of player that would slot in nicely if he can keep up that production in the Majors.

The Cubs addressed their first base issues by bringing in Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini. Hosmer is a good defender and he has a lot of experience being on winning teams, but his production at the plate has dropped alarmingly over the last few seasons. Mancini will start the season as the team's primary DH, so Mervis will likely have an opportunity early should injury or production concerns plague Hosmer.

Oct 4, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner (2) reacts after hitting a / Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nico Hoerner wins a gold glove at 2B

Nico Hoerner is fantastic on defense, and he has already proved that while playing second base and shortstop. He was already a gold glove finalist at 2B in 2020, and many believe he should have been considered after his stellar season at shortstop last year. Hoerner's new double-play partner Dansby Swanson took home the defensive prize at shortstop last year, so in any case, the Cubs should be in fantastic shape with their middle infield.

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