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Without major upgrades in these two areas, the Cubs are bound to fail again in 2025
The catcher position and bench are both in need of major upgrades and should be top focuses for Jed Hoyer and the front office this offseason.
We've already taken a look at the Cubs' infield picture heading into the offseason and the possibilities in the outfield, many of which will be impacted by Cody Bellinger's opt-out decision. Frankly, neither were glaring weaknesses for Chicago in 2024. The bench and catcher position, though, were a different story altogether.
The tandem of Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya, a solid duo in 2023, was supposed to hold down the fort again this year, with the elder statesman Gomes passing the torch to Amaya, a former top prospect. Instead, by June, the Cubs designated Gomes for assignment as Amaya also struggled, forcing the front office to plug holes in the hull of the ship with bubble gum to get through the summer.
A mid-season adjustment helped Amaya turn a corner at the plate, but a September swoon again raised questions about what his role should be in 2025. There's no world in which the Cubs can open camp with him as the projected Opening Day starter, so either via trade or free agency, we'll see a new face behind the dish next year.
Familiar faces fell short and change is needed on the Cubs bench
If I have to endure another year of Patrick Wisdom, Miles Mastrobuoni, Nick Madrigal and David Bote as the primary contributors off the bench, I'm going to lose it.
Bote, it seems safe to say, will be gone. The Cubs will buy out his option for 2025 at a $1 million cost rather than pay him $7 million next year. He hit well in limited action with the big-league team this summer, but in an offseason where every dollar counts more than ever, he's on the outs.
The Madrigal-Mastrobuoni duo packs as much punch offensively as a wet paper bag. The former has one option remaining, so maybe they keep him in the fold at stash him at Iowa - but expecting him to all of the sudden regain the hit tool that's eluded him since coming to the Cubs would be foolish. Over the last three years, he's put up a 73 OPS+. It's time to stop thinking he's a worth a 26-man roster spot on a team with postseason aspirations.
Mastrobuoni can also still be optioned and we know the Cubs love his defensive versatility and baseball IQ. But let's face facts. He put up a 35 OPS+ this season and has a career OPS+ of 54. At some point you have to hit or the other 'tools' in your arsenal become moot.
Last, but not least, we come to Wisdom - yet another player who was solidly below-average offensively (75 OPS+, 33% K rate, career-worst BB rate) whose primary reason for being on the roster in the first place was his bat. If he's not going to hit, he needs to be on the chopping block - period.
Cubs can fill some of these roster holes with top prospects
A lot of doom, gloom and doubt, eh? Here's some rays of sun peaking out from behind the clouds. By turning the page on these guys, there's not only an opportunity to rebuild the team's depth in free agency and via trade, but get regular ABs for prospects knocking on the door.
James Triantos looks ready to step into the utility role in 2025. Matt Shaw, who may be in the Cubs' Opening Day roster plans already, depending on the timeline with Nico Hoerner's recovery, is another prospect who could make a name for himself at the big-league level next season.
Moises Ballesteros has continued to hit in the Arizona Fall League, which will make it hard for the Cubs to bury him at Iowa, despite legitimate questions about his future as a catcher. In the outfield, Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcantara could replace someone like Mike Tauchman, the team's primary fourth outfielder in recent years, adding further youth to the mix.
You don't have to go with a totally unproven bench loaded with rookies, but given the lack of flexibility in the projected starting lineup, it's a way to at least see what you have with some key guys and give them a chance to learn the ropes from established veterans around them.
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