The Chicago Cubs are making significant moves this offseason after yet another disappointing playoff miss in 2024. With a promising young roster, the Cubs are viewed as a team on the brink of contention in the National League. A key acquisition this winter was the trade for Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, a deal that is expected to bolster both the Cubs' offense and defense heading into the 2025 season.

Despite these improvements, the Cubs still face critical challenges, particularly in their bullpen. ESPN's David Schoenfield highlighted the Cubs' -1.44 win probability added by their bullpen, ranking them a concerning 25th in the league. This marks a decline from previous seasons, showcasing a persistent issue for the team under the leadership of Jed Hoyer. The hope was that manager Craig Counsell could rectify this trend, yet the bullpen continued to falter, leading to underperformance relative to their Pythagorean record.

The Cubs' starting rotation remains strong, but their relievers have struggled to secure leads and close out games effectively. To address this, the team has brought in Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians among other offseason moves. Additionally, young relief pitcher Porter Hodge, who had a stellar debut season with a 1.88 ERA and nine saves, is expected to play a crucial role in high-leverage situations moving forward. With Tucker on a one-year deal, the Cubs must prioritize strengthening their bullpen to ensure a competitive season in 2025.

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' 2024 MLB season fell short of expectations, mirroring their previous year's performance with 83 wins. Despite hiring Craig Counsell as manager, the team struggled with inconsistent play and injuries, leading to disappointment for fans and ownership alike.

Owner Tom Ricketts expressed his dissatisfaction in a letter, emphasizing the need for improvement. He highlighted the team's strong farm system and the positive contributions of players like Shota Imanaga and Ian Happ, signaling hope for the future. Ricketts also honored Ryne Sandberg, acknowledging the fundraising efforts for his cancer battle.

The conclusion of the MLB regular season has prompted an expanded ranking of the top 50 rookies for 2024, showcasing the depth of talent in this year's class.

Highlighting the fierce competition, the NL Rookie of the Year race features Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres, while the AL race remains wide open.

Players are evaluated based on their performance, role, and development throughout the season, with late-season success carrying significant weight.