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Chicago Cubs Opening Day 26-man roster prediction 2.0
This lineup packs a punch, but questions still linger regarding the strength of the starting rotation and the bullpen.
Almost a month ago, I released my Opening Day roster prediction 1.0, and a little more than mid-way through Spring Training, it's time for another go around. Not much has changed, but there are a couple of new guys that make the cut given injuries and roster moves that have transpired. My previous prediction listed Cody Bellinger, and now that the signing is official, we can with certainty plug him into the heart of the order. Here is my Chicago Cubs Opening day roster prediction 2.0.
Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster prediction 2.0 - The Hitters
1. Nico Hoerner 2B
2. Ian Happ LF
3. Seiya Suzuki RF
4. Cody Bellinger CF
5. Dansby Swanson SS
6. Michael Busch 1B
7. Christopher Morel 3B
8. David Peralta DH
9. Yan Gomes C
Bench: Miguel Amaya, Mike Tauchman, Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom
I was overly optimistic about adding in J.D. Martinez last time, but still, this lineup is very stacked. Given David Peralta's veteran leadership, I'm sliding him into the DH role, but he can also play the outfield, if necessary, for the Cubs in 2024. Peralta likely holds his spot until Pete Crow-Armstrong or Alexander Canario is ready to stay up for good. Other than that, we have a pretty straightforward bench, with an extra outfielder in Tauchman, multi-position infield utility players Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom, and, of course, Miguel Amaya, who will look to take the reigns this year as the team's primary backstop.
I'm leaving Garrett Cooper and Dominic Smith off the OD roster because I believe they will only be utilized as temporary backups at the major league level if an injury occurs. If everything goes perfectly, they can be thrown in as part of a potential trade package, or at worst they be dealt with at the deadline to acquire whatever prospective assets they would be able to fetch. Still, I don't expect either to play much of a role for the team in 2024.
Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster prediction 2.0 - The starting rotation
- Justin Steele
- Shota Imanaga
- Kyle Hendricks
- Jordan Wicks
- Javier Assad
If Jameson Taillon opens the season on the IL as we fear, It’s going to open up an Opening Day roster spot. Between Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski, I lean toward Assad to take the reins as the 5th starter in the rotation if needed. Assad has seen more success starting (3.02 as a starter in 2023 vs. Wesneski’s 5.51 ERA), and Wesneski was just fine as a reliever with a 3.57 ERA over 40.1 IP last season. Other than that, Steele, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks, and the way Wicks looks in spring training so far, with a 1.46 ERA in 12.1 IP, you can count him in too.
The Cubs missing out on Tyler Glasnow this winter may prove to be the biggest misfire of the offseason, as he has looked like nothing less than an ace so far in spring. He has already been named the starter for game one of the Seoul Series in Korea, and if he can stay healthy, will be exactly what the Cubs lack this year in the rotation. If guys don’t step up this season such as Wicks or Assad, it may be a long year. The rotation needs to be the focal point of improving this roster moving forward. With prospect capital at their disposal, it’s easy to envision a scenario where the Cubs shop for a starting pitcher this summer at the trade deadline.
Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster prediction 2.0 - The bullpen
- Yency Almonte
- Drew Smyly
- Jose Cuas
- Luke Little
- Mark Leiter Jr.
- Julian Merryweather
- Hector Neris
- Adbert Alzolay
Mark Leiter Jr, Julian Merryweather, Hector Neris, and Adbert Alzolay are a guarantee. Personally, I see the Cubs having Alzolay and Neris split time at closer and seeing who sticks over the course of the season. When the team needs help, they have as plethora of talent in Triple-A Iowa to guys keep fresh.
I do wish this team had one more bonified stud reliever. The asking price for Cleveland guardians star closer Emmanuel Clase was too much for Jed Hoyer to stomach this winter, and thus, a trade never came to fruition. The Cubs will likely need to add an arm or two at the deadline, but fow now, this bullpen will need to play to its upside.
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