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' 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 regular season prompts a reflection on starting pitchers who excelled relative to their draft positions. Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves stands out, expected to win his first Cy Young Award after a strong comeback season.

Seth Lugo, now with the Kansas City Royals, has also made headlines with his impressive performance, contributing significantly to the team's postseason run. Other notable pitchers include Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Jack Flaherty of the Los Angeles Dodgers, each showcasing remarkable skills and potential for the upcoming season.

The Chicago Cubs are prioritizing their underwhelming lineup this offseason, but enhancing their pitching staff remains crucial. With two strong left-handed pitchers already in place, acquiring a reliable right-hander could greatly benefit their rotation.

Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander, despite his impressive career, struggled in 2024 and may not be the right fit for the Cubs. Analysts suggest the team should avoid taking a chance on him, especially given his declining performance. Instead, focusing on quality arms is the way forward for the Cubs as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Rick Lucks reflects on his 10 bold predictions for the 2024 fantasy baseball season, revealing a mixed bag of outcomes. While some predictions, like Shota Imanaga's performance, were spot on, others fell flat, including expectations for players like Tyler O'Neill and Blake Snell.

Overall, Lucks recorded a disappointing 2-8 record on his predictions, but he acknowledges that the spirit of some predictions, particularly regarding the Kansas City Royals, was closer to reality than the final tally suggests.