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.

2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training
2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training | Matt Dirksen/GettyImages
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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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