8 Cubs players who will be gone from the 40-man roster this winter

The Chicago Cubs will need to showcase a level of creativeness we've not seen in Wrigleyville for some time if they're going to find a way to maximize the value of their growing number of top-level prospects knocking on the door in Iowa and shake up a roster that underperformed this year while working around multiple pieces locked in long-term.

That means we could see the 40-man shaken up in a fairly dramatic way, whether it be with departing free agents or pieces the Cubs, at least in theory, should move on from. There are even some prospects who could face the axe in the mix. So let's get into it. Here are eight players whose spots on the 40-man roster could be in jeopardy.

A pair of backup infielders who haven't delivered at the big league level

The time has come. Well, honestly, the time has come, gone and come back around again. There's no reason the Chicago Cubs should keep Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni around heading into 2025.

Madrigal's season was cut short with a left pinky fracture, but it's pretty clear what he is, even when healthy: a former top prospect who could really use a change of scenery. He's never replicated what he did early on in his career with the White Sox leaving both the Cubs and their South Side rivals as losers in the ill-fated 2021 Craig Kimbrel trade.

A .221/.280/.256 in 51 games isn't going to cut it, even coming off the bench. Even in his best season with the Cubs, the former Oregon State standout was about 20 percent below average with the bat and this year, he had more weak contact than ever before in his career. It's time to move on.

As for Mastrobuoni, he at least offers a semblance of defensive versatility, but the bat just doesn't play. A 34 OPS+ this season is even worse than his career mark of 53. Frankly, if the Cubs need a versatile bench piece, James Triantos is waiting in the wings and has an above-average hit tool. Make the call and get actual production from your go-to bench option.

3 impending free agents who seem unlikely to re-sign with the Cubs

This weekend could be Kyle Hendricks' swan song with the Chicago Cubs. After more than a decade on the North Side, during which he established himself as one of the best starting pitchers in franchise history, the two sides seem destined to go their separate ways this winter.

Hendricks' place in franchise lore is cemented and a disastrous 2024 season won't change that. But with the team in the hunt for another starter this winter and guys like Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks and Cade Horton all factoring into the picture heading into next year, there's no room for a guy whose skills have clearly diminished significantly.

Drew Smyly has been a valuable piece for the Cubs, but it seems like Wicks could slot into the role he's filled the last couple years. The veteran left-hander was lights-out in the early going this year, but has a 5.09 ERA since the All-Star Break and opponents have a 1.200 OPS against him in September. His contract contains a $10 million option with a $2.5 million buyout for 2025 - this is a no-brainer; buy him out and move on.

Jorge Lopez' season was ended with a recurring groin injury, but he'll head into the open market this winter after re-establishing himself as a shutdown reliever in Chicago. In 24 appearances, the right-hander has worked to a 2.03 ERA, turning in results he hasn't produced since his All-Star campaign with the Orioles in 2022.

There's a chance he could find his way back to the Cubs in free agency, but at least at the onset of the offseason, he's definitely going to see what he can get on the open market on the heels of this bounceback campaign.