Assessing the Cubs' Roster Status: Stability Amid Strategic Moves
Assessing the Cubs' Roster Status: Stability Amid Strategic Moves
As the Major League Baseball offseason progresses, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in a position of relative stability when compared to teams grappling with free agency uncertainties or roster overhauls. Building on back-to-back 83-win seasons that followed the disruptive sell-off in 2021, the Cubs are cautiously optimistic about maintaining this consistency.
The decision to initiate the sell-off in 2021 by Cubs president Jed Hoyer set the stage for the current roster landscape. Now, with every position-player starter secured under contract for the 2024 season, the Cubs can focus on refining rather than reconstructing their team lineup. This strategic stability places the Cubs in a strong position as they head into the new year.
Strategic Moves and Remaining Options
One notable development is Cody Bellinger's decision to exercise his player option. While this move contributes to the team's stability, the Cubs are intentionally steering clear of aggressively pursuing major free-agent talents like Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Instead, their strategy appears focused on leveraging existing strengths and making targeted improvements.
With the Cubs not losing much to free agency, they can maintain roster continuity. However, despite ranking 12th in runs and 10th in on-base percentage last season, their hitting power leaves room for improvement, as evidenced by their 21st-place ranking in home runs. No individual player managed to hit more than 25 homers, underscoring a potential area for enhancement.
Pitching Strengths and Prospective Trades
On the pitching front, the Cubs' rotation showed commendable depth, ranking sixth in ERA and 12th in innings pitched last season. This solid performance provides a reassuring backbone as the team explores potential trades and acquisitions. Among potential trade pieces are Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, and Jameson Taillon, while the Cubs are rumored to be eyeing pitchers such as Max Fried, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Nathan Eovaldi, and Walker Buehler, each of whom could bolster their rotation further.
Additionally, the prospective arrival of Roki Sasaki, a promising talent attracting interest from the Cubs and other MLB teams, could further enhance their pitching roster.
Prospective Offensive Adjustments
While on the offensive side, Dansby Swanson stands out with a 4.0 WAR, highlighting his pivotal role last season. Meanwhile, with Anthony Santander now a free agent, opportunities arise for potential roster adjustments. Although Rafael Devers remains an unlikely acquisition target, the Cubs are considering Travis d'Arnaud as a possible free-agent signing, which could address some offensive gaps.
Moreover, catcher Miguel Amaya's role becomes strategic as he serves as a bridge to the anticipated arrival of prospect Moises Ballesteros, showcasing the depth of the Cubs' farm system and hinting at future prospects that could elevate the team's performance.
Outlook and Continued Development
With a deep farm system and a cautiously optimistic approach to trades and free agency, the Cubs seem poised to tackle the coming season with a well-rounded strategy. Their focused plans and decisions reflect a commitment to building a competitive, stable team without succumbing to the temptations of high-profile but potentially fleeting acquisitions.
As the organization continues to fine-tune its roster, the decisions made in the coming months could define the Cubs' trajectory for years to come. With keen eyes on both external acquisitions and internal development, the Cubs are carefully navigating their way to maintaining and hopefully surpassing the levels of success evidenced in the past seasons.
