Jed Hoyer (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Chicago Cubs were officially eliminated from the playoff race last Saturday. The end had been in sight for a long time. Last season’s failure stemmed from a late season collapse. This season’s collapse occurred during the months of May and June. The Cubs went 21-34 during that time frame.
However, the failure of the 2024 season had its roots in a lackluster offseason.
Jed Hoyer didn’t do enough to prepare the team for 2024
The Cubs knew they had holes in their roster going into the season. Third base and the bullpen were particular places of need. As it turned out, the demise of Yan Gomes behind the plate and the failure of Miguel Amaya to step up created another hole.
Amaya did eventually recover to some extent and the addition of Christian Bethancourt was helpful, but the Cubs had already dug themselves into a huge hole by then.
The Cubs finally gave up on Christopher Morel and third and traded him and pitching prospects to the Rays for third baseman, Isaac Paredes. Paredes is currently hitting .203 with the Cubs. I’m not sure he’s the answer going into 2025.
The Cubs have seemingly auditioned a cast of thousands to help in the bullpen. And some of the auditions paid off. Porter Hodge and Tyson Miller come to mind. Keegan Thompson and Jorge Lopez were also welcome additions. Unfortunately, the Cubs waited too long to shake things up.
Signs of discontent?
Interestingly, some members of the Cubs are expressing dissatisfaction with this year’s outcome. Cubs’ manager, Craig Counsell, expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the Cubs. Counsell said, “We’ve got to get better, man. “The team we’re chasing is 10 games ahead of us. You got to get better.
A number of things come to mind. First Counsell is absolutely right. Second, why didn’t he say that before the season started? Third, Counsell himself wasn’t particularly great as the Cubs’ manager. He was the one touting Christopher Morel as the Cubs’ third baseman. Plus, his refusal to mix things up in the bullpen until the Cubs were in a giant hole was a huge part of the Cubs failure.
Perhaps the bigger question is does the fact that Counsell spoke up about the situation mean Jed Hoyer is under fire. I would hope so. But Counsell wasn’t the only one with something to say.
Jameson Taillon also spoke up saying, “We’re the Chicago Cubs. We should strive to be a 90-win-at least- organization.
Based on resources available to other teams in the division, that is absolutely correct. The fact that they’ve been dominated by the Brewers for years is an organizational disgrace.
Will the Cubs actually be aggressive in the offseason?
The Cubs apparently set the goal at winning games in the 85-87 range. That’s often good enough to get in the playoffs, but not this season. The Cubs clearly need to set their goal higher. At least to the 90-win range. That may require spending more money than the Cubs are comfortable with. There are some free agent pitching options coming up that would serve to upgrade the Cubs rotation.
Corbin Burnes would look great at the head of the Cubs’ rotation. Not only would he help the team, but it would also send a message to the players and fan base the team was serious about winning.
Look for a Hoerner trade
Nico Hoerner has come on strong in the latter stages of the 2024 season, but he or Isaac Paredes seem to be the players in the starting lineup most likely to be supplanted in 2025. Matt Shaw had an outstanding 2025 campaign, finishing strong in AAA Iowa with a slash line of .298-.398-.534. That was in 131 plate appearances. He also slugged seven home runs and drove in 21 runs. He should be in the Cubs lineup somewhere in 2021.
The Cubs have the most resources of any team in the division. It’s about time they used them.
