The Chicago Cubs are facing a pivotal offseason, with a primary focus on Cody Bellinger amidst a need for offensive improvement. Despite a lackluster 2024 season, the front office must also consider enhancements to their pitching staff, which is crucial for postseason success.

With key players like Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly likely departing, the Cubs' rotation remains a priority. They have promising prospects such as Matt Shaw and Owen Caissie, but balancing their budget will be essential for making impactful moves.

The Chicago Cubs finished the 2024 season with an 83-79 record, placing second in the NL Central. Despite a solid run differential suggesting a better performance, they missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.

Key contributors included Shota Imanaga, who excelled as a rookie pitcher, and Seiya Suzuki, who had a standout offensive season. However, the bullpen's struggles and underperformance from certain positions hindered their success.

Looking ahead, the Cubs have several key free agents and will need to address their catching and bullpen needs to improve in 2025.

The Chicago Cubs faced a disappointing 2024 MLB season, failing to meet expectations despite strategic moves. However, the emergence of young talents like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch provided some optimism for the future.

Heading into the offseason, the Cubs have a strong core and depth, which President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer emphasized as a crucial asset. With several prospects on the MLB Pipeline Top 100, the team has the potential to make impactful trades or upgrades.

The Chicago Cubs made a pivotal decision last offseason by re-signing Cody Bellinger, who had struggled since winning the MVP award in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His performance in 2023 was impressive, boasting a .307 batting average with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs, leading to a three-year, $80 million contract.

However, opinions on the deal vary, with some analysts rating it poorly compared to other free agency contracts. As the Cubs face uncertainty, insiders suggest they might prefer Bellinger to opt out of his contract, allowing them to reallocate funds and address other roster needs.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, a top defensive prospect for the Chicago Cubs, surprised many by not being a finalist for the 2024 Gold Glove Award in center field. Instead, Blake Perkins of the Milwaukee Brewers took the spot, igniting debates among fans and analysts.

Crow-Armstrong has received high praise for his exceptional outfield skills, earning an elite '80' grade from MLB Pipeline. Despite only 109 starts in 2024, his defensive metrics were impressive, leading to questions about the selection process.

Perkins, while solid defensively, did not match Crow-Armstrong's reputation and performance, raising eyebrows about his nomination. Crow-Armstrong's mid-season call-up limited his exposure, but his future in the league looks promising, suggesting he could be a Gold Glove contender soon.