2024 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago Cubs

 #25

The Chicago Cubs had a solid season in 2023, almost making the playoffs.  So ... they fired their manager.  Would the change in leadership lead to more success?

2023 Predictions

#15 - 2nd in NL Central

MIH - Dansby Swanson

MIP - Kyle Hendricks

PTW - Hayden Wesneski

FP - Ian Happ will be traded at the Trade Deadline.

2023 Results

#17 - 83-79, 2nd in NL Central

Highest WAR (Position) - Nico Hoerner

Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Justin Steele

The Cubs were about what I thought they would be in 2023, even though they may have done it in a different way.  Dansby Swanson, their prize of last off-season, was an All Star and got MVP votes despite being average at the plate.  Kyle Hendricks had a pretty good bounce back year also.  The surprises of 2023 were starter Justin Steele, infielder Nico Hoerner, and the resurrection of Cody Bellinger.  They were in the conversation for a playoff spot right to the end, finishing only 1 game out of a Wild Card berth.  By all accounts, 2023 was a pretty successful season from a big brand working their way back to the top.

Additions / Subtractions

So why did they fire their manager?!?  David Ross, a fan favorite back to his playing days, is out.  This move had nothing to do with David Ross and had everything to do with the fact that they could upgrade to Craig Counsell, who left the rival Brewers for the big market and the pig payday.  Three other additions of note: one got a lot of press, one got a little press, and one got very little, but all were significant.  First, Cody Bellinger finally re-signed with the Cubs after his huge turnaround season.  Next, the Cubs signed Japanese import Shota Imanaga to replace Marcus Stroman in the rotation.  He was a top pitcher in Japan and could turn into a huge signing.  Then, a small trade of prospects brought to the Cubs Michael Busch, who will be on the Opening Day roster and is set to have a big impact for the Cubs.

Most Important Hitter

Cody Bellinger

One of the most fascinating free agency cases this off-season was Cody Bellinger.  He's been an MVP, he's been one of the worst hitters in baseball, and last year he made a triumphant return to his old form.  However, heading into free agency, which player do you pay?  Bellinger wanted to be paid like the potential MVP candidate, while clubs were more skeptical that he was back.  The Cubs, more out of necessity, finally paid him, but waited till after Spring Training had already started to do so.  Now, they have significant funds invested in the Bellinger of 2023.  If he continues to show that's once again who he is, the Cubs lineup could be quite potent.  If not, the Cubs could be stuck with the contract they didn't want.

Most Important Pitcher

Shota Imanaga

I thought about going with Justin Steele here after his huge breakout in 2023, but Shota Imanaga might determine the true success of this pitching staff.  Japanese pitchers have had mixed success in the majors.  When they are good, they're really good.  When they're not, they can really struggle.  Imanaga has a chance to be really good and an ace of the staff like Masahiro Tanaka, Yu Darvish, and Shohei Ohtani, but he also could fall into the category of Hideki Irabu, Kei Igawa, and Yusei Kikuchi.

Prospect to Watch

Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Cubs have a bright future, with 7 players in the Top 100 Prospects.  The best of these is ready to break out in 2024 in Pete Crow-Armstrong.  Ranked the 16th best prospect in all of baseball, Crow-Armstrong is a 21 year old lefty outfielder that the Cubs acquired a few years ago in the Javier Baez trade with the Mets.  He is set to be a solid hitter with okay power, but his best tools are his speed and fielding ability.  He is a future Gold Glove winner in centerfield.  The Cubs are excited to give him the opportunity in 2024 to show what he's got.

2024 Predictions

4th in NL Central

The Cubs are on their way back to the top, so why are they so low?  They are in a weird division that literally anyone could win.  Someone has to finish in first, and someone has to finish in last.  Where some divisions are unpredictable because of how many elite teams there are, this division is unpredictable because all the teams are good but not great.  The Cubs are in the middle of that and have enough question marks that they could end up near the bottom of the standings.

Fearless Prediction

Pete Crow-Armstrong will win a 2024 Gold Glove.

Why wait?  If Pete Crow-Armstrong is as good as they say he is, the defense will transfer over immediately.  If the defense is as elite as it is supposed to be, this reality will only be held back by his playing time in his rookie season.  If he hits, he will get enough playing time to make this happen.

2023 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago Cubs

 #15

The Chicago Cubs have completed a full reset of their roster from the core that won the World Series in 2016.  Is this new core ready to compete?

2022 Predictions

#19 - 3rd in NL Central

MIH - Nico Hoerner

MIP - Marcus Stroman

PTW - Brennen Davis

2022 Results

#19 - 74-88, 3rd in NL Central

Highest WAR (Position) - Ian Happ

Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Marcus Stroman

The Cubs quietly had a decent season in 2022.  They never really felt like they were in contention, but they remained competitive throughout the whole season.  One of the biggest revelations of the 2022 season for the Cubs was the solid rookie outing for Japanese import Seiya Suzuki.

Additions / Subtractions

This offseason for the Cubs was all about officially ending one era and starting a new one.  They watched Willson Contreras join the Cardinals in free agency, marking the departure of one of the only remaining players from the World Series team.  To fill the leadership void, the Cubs signed shortstop Dansby Swanson to a huge deal.  Then they invested in some bounce back reclamation projects.  This came in the form of starter Jameson Taillon, first basemen Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini, and most notably, centerfielder Cody Bellinger.

Most Important Hitter

Dansby Swanson

The Cubs signed Swanson to be the cornerstone of their future, and he will be counted on to start earning his big contract immediately.  He earned the big payday too.  Last season was his best in the big leagues, hitting .277 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI's, and a 115 OPS+ while playing every game and earning his first Gold Glove.  The Cubs are paying him like that was just the start of his greatness.  If the Cubs are taking a step forward in 2023, he will have to prove that's true.

Most Important Pitcher

Kyle Hendricks

What appears to be the final remaining player from the Cubs glory days, Kyle Hendricks has really fallen off the last few seasons.  In fact, 2021 and 2022 were his worst seasons in the big leagues.  In 2022, injuries kept him to only 16 starts and 84 innings.  He almost pitched more in the COVID shortened 2020 season than in 2022.  He doesn't need to bounce all the way back to the elite level that led the league in ERA in 2016, but the Cubs need him to bounce back in some way.  Their pitching staff feels very makeshift and random entering the year.  Hendricks returning to form would provide some much needed stability.

Prospect to Watch

Hayden Wesneski

With the Cubs pitching staff less set than their lineup, there will be opportunities for a player like Hayden Wesneski to have an impact in 2023.  Acquired at the Trade Deadline last season from the Yankees for reliever Scott Effross, Wesneski had a chance to get in 6 games last fall with some pretty good success.  The 25 year old starter is thought to have a very high floor with a ceiling of a mid-rotation starter.  Wesneski enters 2023 as the Cubs #5 prospect in their farm system, which ranks middle of the pack in the league.

2023 Prediction

2nd in NL Central

I like where the Cubs are at!  I think they are definitely heading in the right direction.  Dansby Swanson was a perfect choice to be the new face of their franchise, their new core is starting to develop nicely, and their pitching has some upside.  I look for the Cubs to be a surprise team in 2023.  They probably won't contend for a playoff spot, but they might be in the conversation for a Wild Card down the stretch, especially since they are in one of the worst divisions in baseball.

Fearless Prediction

Ian Happ will be traded at the Trade Deadline.

Over the last season or two, one of the perpetual storylines around the Cubs has been if Ian Happ will be traded at any point.  Happ has been one of those bridge players who broke out on the scene in 2017 just after the World Series run and has been one of their best players the last few years.  Now he is in his last year of club control and will be looking for a big payday next offseason.  The Cubs also have a ton of outfield depth in their farm system, with some ready to contribute at some point this season.  Look for Ian Happ to be moved in July for a young, big league ready arm.  A move like this would be a perfect opportunity to sell while still competing down the stretch, even if it might not be a popular move with Cubs fans.

2022 MLB Pre-Season Predictions: #20-11

 #20

Texas Rangers

2021 Prediction: #29, 5th in AL West

2021 Fearless Prediction: Chris Woodward will be fired mid-season.

2021 Result: #28, 60-102, 5th in AL West

Most Important Hitter: Adolis Garcia

Most Important Pitcher: Jon Gray

Prospect to Watch: Josh Jung

2022 Prediction: 4th in AL West

The Rangers spent loads of money this offseason establishing their lineup core for the next decade with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.  Now they just need to wait for a young wave of players to work their way through the system.  The free agents definitely gave them a jump start, but they still have a ways to go.

#19

Chicago Cubs

2021 Prediction: #21, 4th in NL Central

2021 Fearless Prediction: The only player in the dugout from the Cubs' World Series roster on Opening Day 2022 will be manager David Ross.

2021 Result: #24, 71-91, 4th in NL Central

Most Important Hitter: Nico Hoerner

Most Important Pitcher: Marcus Stroman

Prospect to Watch: Brennen Davis

2022 Prediction: 3rd in NL Central

The Cubs did indeed trade away almost everyone remaining from their World Series run just 6 years ago.  Now they are starting over and rebuilding, but they are a little further along than others.  They still have a legit ace or two, and they signed one of the ultimate wild cards in the free agent pool this offseason in Seiya Suzuki.  They also are in one of the weakest divisions in the league.  They could easily flirt with .500 in 2022.

#18

Tampa Bay Rays

2021 Prediction: #11, 3rd in AL East

2021 Fearless Prediction: Randy Arozarena will hit less home runs in 2021 than he did in 2020.

2021 Result: #3, 100-62, 1st in AL East, lost in ALDS

Most Important Hitter: Randy Arozarena

Most Important Pitcher: Shane McClanahan

Prospect to Watch: Shane Baz

2022 Prediction: 4th in AL East

At some point, they way the Rays operate has to catch up with them and lead to a down year.  They can't keep dominating the toughest division in baseball.  There are only so many wins to go around, and although they have one of the most exciting young players around in Wander Franco, 2022 looks to be the year they struggle.

#17

Minnesota Twins

2021 Prediction: #10, 2nd in AL central, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Game

2021 Fearless Prediction: The Twins' top starting pitcher entering the postseason is currently not on their roster.

2021 Result: #23, 73-89, 5th in AL Central

Most Important Hitter: Byron Buxton

Most Important Pitcher: Chris Paddack

Prospect to Watch: Joe Ryan

2022 Prediction: 3rd in AL Central

The success of the Twins in 2022 revolves entirely around whether Byron Buxton can stay healthy.  They have a pretty formidable lineup, adding Gio Urshela, Gary Sanchez, and Carlos Correa.  Their pitching is pretty unproven, shown by one of their top prospects making his big league debut starting Opening Day.  This is a team that could make the playoffs or finish in the cellar or end up anywhere in between.  It all depends on their health.

#16

St. Louis Cardinals

2021 Prediction: #1, 1st in NL Central, win World Series

2021 Fearless Prediction: Jack Flaherty win the NL Cy Young Award.

2021 Result: #10, 90-72, 2nd in NL Central, WILD CARD, lost in Wild Card Game

Most Important Hitter: Nolan Arenado

Most Important Pitcher: Steven Matz

Prospect to Watch: Matthew Liberatore

2022 Prediction: 2nd in NL Central

I was really high on the Cardinals last year, picking them for a surprise run to the title.  I thought I had something when they went on their crazy run to end the season and make the playoffs, but ultimately ended up short.  Now I might be a little too low on them.  With star pitcher Jack Flaherty still hurt, their mismatched rotation will have to be strong for their season to be a success.  If nothing else, they will be a fun watch as Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Adam Wainwright appear poised to make 2022 a joint farewell tour.

#15

Detroit Tigers

2021 Prediction: #23, 4th in AL Central

2021 Fearless Prediction: Miguel Cabrera will become a 3000/500 hitter in 2021.

2021 Result: #20, 77-85, 3rd in AL Central

Most Important Hitter: Javier Baez

Most Important Pitcher: Casey Mize

Prospect to Watch: Spencer Torkelson

2022 Prediction: 2nd in AL Central

The Tigers are poised for a breakout.  They have amassed a ton of young talent reading to emerge, and they went out and signed a leader to anchor their team at shortstop.  If Baez can live up to his contract, if Casey Mize and others can show their promise in the rotation, and if a phenom like former #1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson can have a solid rookie season, the Tigers might ride this wide open division to a playoff birth.

#14

San Francisco Giants

2021 Prediction: #18, 3rd in NL West

2021 Fearless Prediction: At least two of the Giants' starting infielders will be traded mid-season.

2021 Result: #1, 107-55, 1st in NL West, lost in NLDS

Most Important Hitter: Brandon Belt

Most Important Pitcher: Logan Webb

Prospect to Watch: Heliot Ramos

2022 Prediction: 3rd in NL West

No one surprised quite as much in 2021 as the San Francisco Giants.  I was predicting them to potentially be sellers at the Trade Deadline.  Instead, they had the best record in all of baseball.  Their leader, Buster Posey, retired which will be hard to replace.  If the veterans are able to continue to contribute, and if their pitching staff can dominate again, they could repeat last year's performance, but it will be really tough.

#13

New York Yankees

2021 Prediction: #4, 1st in AL East, lose in ALCS

2021 Fearless Prediction: Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will hit 100+ hone runs combined.

2021 Result: #7, 92-70, 3rd in AL East, lost in Wild Card Game

Most Important Hitter: Josh Donaldson

Most Important Pitcher: Luis Severino

Prospect to Watch: Oswald Peraza

2022 Prediction: 3rd in AL East

The Yankees always look like they should be one of the best teams in baseball on paper, but the pressure of the bright lights in the Bronx prove to be harder to overcome than anyone realizes.  Their lineup is always loaded, with Donaldson being a key addition if he can stay healthy.  Their rotation has some holes, and everyone needs to stay healthy.  I have them just missing the postseason party, which probably will lead to several firings, starting with Aaron Boone.

#12

Atlanta Braves

2021 Prediction: #6, 1st in NL East, lose in NLDS

2021 Fearless Prediction: Ronald Acuna Jr. wins the NL MVP.

2021 Result: #12, 88-73, 1st in NL East, won World Series

Most Important Hitter: Matt Olson

Most Important Pitcher: Kenley Jansen

Prospect to Watch: Spencer Strider

2022 Prediction: 3rd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Round

The Braves got hot at the right time and ended up winning it all in 2021.  Then they dropped the ball on signing back their leader in Freddie Freeman.  Instead, they traded away a lot of top talent from their farm system to bring in Matt Olson, who they signed to the extension they wanted to sign Freeman to.  Magical runs like last year don't happen twice.  I have them sneaking into the playoffs thanks to the expanded field, but they won't even host a playoff game.

#11

Boston Red Sox

2021 Prediction: #26, 5th in AL East

2021 Fearless Prediction: J.D. Martinez will be traded before the 2022 season.

2021 Result: #8, 91-71, 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lost in ALCS

Most Important Hitter: Trevor Story

Most Important Pitcher: Chris Sale

Prospect to Watch: Jeter Downs

2022 Prediction: 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Round

The Red Sox in 2021 proved how much a manager matters.  They were a step away from the World Series with Alex Cora when they were horrible in 2020 without him.  The big question mark for them this season is the rotation.  If they can get healthy and stay that way, they can dominate again.  If not, they will have to outscore a lot of teams (which they have the lineup to do).

2021 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago Cubs

 #21

The Chicago Cubs pulled out a division win in 2020, but were swept out of the expanded playoff field pretty quick.  Now there are talks of cutting payroll and a potential tearing down of the roster that broke the dreaded curse.  Will 2021 see more success or be the start of the rebuild?

2020 Predictions

#18 - 4th in NL Central

MIH - Willson Contreras

MIP - Yu Darvish

PTW - Nico Hoerner

2020 Results

#9 - 34-26, 1st in NL Central, lost in Wild Card Round

Everyone thought the Cubs were due for a down year in 2020 (at least I did).  Instead, behind rookie manager David Ross, the Cubs won the division and hosted a first round playoff series against the surprise of the 2020 season, the Miami Marlins.  The Cubs were eliminated without winning a game, leaving many to wonder if 2020 was actually a successful season or not.

Additions / Subtractions

The Cubs offseason was defined by two things: who left and who is still there.  First, leaving the club were Cy Young finalist Yu Darvish, veteran pitcher Jon Lester, and slugger Kyle Schwarber.  Also leaving was team president Theo Epstein, the man responsible for breaking the championship curses in both Boston and Chicago.  The one still there is Kris Bryant.  The Cubs are in the business of cutting payroll right now, and Bryant is due to have a big payday after the 2021 season.  Rumors swirled all offseason that he would be traded, but he is still manning the hot corner for the Cubs.  Coming in were some minor pickups like Joc Pederson, Zach Davies, and Jake Arrieta to fill in for the departing players.

Most Important Hitter

Kris Bryant

So much heading into this season revolves around Kris Bryant for the Cubs.  It reminds me some of the Rockies heading into last season being held hostage by the Nolan Arenado trade talks.  At the same time, Bryant is coming off a pretty disappointing 2020 season.  He barely cracked a .200 average with a 73 OPS+ in the shortened season.  Now Bryant is in his contract year (which many would argue shouldn't be happening thanks to service time manipulation).  Bryant's success in 2021 could lead to greater team success for the Cubs.  It could also lead to greater trade value at the deadline this year.  It could also lead to a bigger payday for Bryant next offseason.  Poor production could easily lead to more drama over what the Cubs are going to do with Kris Bryant.

Most Important Pitcher

Kyle Hendricks

With the departures of Yu Darvish and Jon Lester, the Cubs' rotation is lacking a lot of star power and established dominance.  The holdover in the rotation is Kyle Hendricks.  Ever since he made his debut in 2014, he has quietly been a dominant force for the Cubs using control and finesse in a way that draws comparisons to Greg Maddux.  Now he is by far the main man for the Cubs.  He is going to need to continue his dominance and mentor some young pitchers ready to make an impact for the bug club.

Prospect to Watch

Brailyn Marquez

One of those young arms Hendricks will be mentoring is Brailyn Marquez.  The top prospect in the Cubs' farm system, the 22 year old lefty got one appearance in 2020 that went pretty horrifically.  Now he is competing for a spot in the rotation.  If he doesn't break Spring Training with the big club, look for him to be a call up sometime soon.

2021 Prediction

4th in NL Central

The Cubs still have a lot of talent, but the NL Central is a pretty deep division (with the exception of the Pirates).  The depth of the division, as well as the questions around what direction the team is heading, will keep the Cubs from having a huge impact in 2021.  With that said, in that division, you can't really count them out.

Fearless Prediction

There will only player in the dugot from the Cubs' World Series roster on Opening Day 2022 will be manager David Ross.

What was supposed to be a long-lasting dynasty appears to be all but over 5 years later.  All indications show there is no way Kris Bryant returns next season.  He might not even last till the end of this season.  Anthony Rizzo is in the last year of his deal, as is Javy Baez.  Jake Arrieta is only back for one year.  Willson Contreras appears to be an attractive trade chip that could be moved.  That leaves just Jason Heyward and Kyle Hendricks.  If the Cubs go full rebuild here, one or both of those players could also be moved.  The likelihood that happens is low, but it's possible the entirety of that magical team will be gone very soon.

2019 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago Cubs

#14

The Chicago Cubs have not been able to repeat the success that won them their historic World Series in 2016.  Will 2019 bring them back to elite or mark the possible end of their run that broke the curse?

2018 Predictions

1st in NL Central, win World Series

2018 Results

95-68, 2nd in NL Central, WILD CARD, lost Wild Card Game

First, I didn't quite get to all my articles last season so I do not have a Fearless Prediction to carry over.  However, you could say predicting them to win two World Series in three years was quite a fearless prediction.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  It seems impossible for a 95 win season to be a disappointment, but it was in Chicago.  Although their record still showed success, they struggled all season with injuries and offense.  They lost a playoff game for the division title against the Brewers, then lost the Wild Card Game against the Rockies.  When they needed to win a game, they couldn't.

Additions / Subtractions

With the amount of money they have committed to several players as they have made this run over the last few seasons, the Cubs really had no financial flexibility to go out and acquire anyone.  In fact, they are entering 2019 with almost the exact same roster as they ended last season with.  Daniel Murphy has moved on after being acquired mid-season last year.  Daniel Descalso was brought in to replace Tommy La Stella as a backup utility infielder.  That's about all they did.

Most Important Hitter

Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant started off his career winning Rookie of the Year in 2015 and the MVP in 2016 before winning the World Series.  2017 wasn't up to his MVP level, but 2018 was his worst season to date.  Injuries limited him to 102 games.  When he played, he was below his lofty standards, only hitting .272 (.295 the year before) with 13 home runs (lowest total before that was 26) and an OPS+ of 118 (lowest before that was 135 his rookie year).  After being a 6 or 7 win player in terms of WAR each season up until this point, 2018 saw him total a 1.9 WAR.  If the Cubs are going to be elite in 2019, Kris Bryant needs to be elite once again.

Most Important Pitcher

Yu Darvish

Some questioned the Cubs last offseason when they decided to sign Yu Darvish to a 6 year deal after he seemed to fall apart in the World Series the year before for the Dodgers.  It was questioned even more when Darvish was only able to make 8 starts and total 40 innings in 2018 due to injuries.  He says he is entering 2019 100% healthy which will be needed.  Darvish still has the ability to be dominant, and the Cubs have a rotation that is aging and shown signs of inconsistency.  Darvish can stabilize the rotation and be the leader he is being paid to be.

Prospect to Watch

Adbert Alzolay

When the Cubs were preparing for their World Series run, they had one of the best farm systems in all of baseball.  Now, is it tends to happen, their system is one of the worst as all their top prospects are now several years into their career.  Others they have traded away to bring in players to help them now, like the 2016 trade of Gleyber Torres to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman.  Or the 2017 trade of Eloy Jimenez to the White Sox for Jose Quintana.  Now they are left with a system that only boasts one player in the top 100, and he is still at least a couple years away.  Their best opportunity for meaningful contributions comes from Adbert Alzolay, a 24 year old right-handed starter.  He missed a good portion of last season with an injury so he won't be ready right away, but look for him to be a helpful arm through the dog days of summer.

2019 Prediction

3rd in NL Central

The way I see it, #11-14 on this list will be teams that are competing for a playoff spot all the way down to the final games, but come up just short.  The Cubs may have a renewed focus and energy this season, but they also now see themselves int he most competitive division in baseball.  Even if their win total is nearing 90 games again, it is possible that is only good for 3rd place in this stacked division.  Some of their core players are aging and past their prime, and I think their window with this core is quickly closing.

Fearless Prediction

This will be Joe Maddon's last season as Cubs manager.

There has been much speculation about this throughout the offseason.  Joe Maddon is in the last year of his contract, and no progress has been made towards an extension.  Several speculate that Maddon might want to see what happens this season first before he decides if he wants to come back.  Some say he might just be done managing.  However you look at it, chances are this is the Cubs last run with the manager that finally brought a World Series title back to Wrigley.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: Chicago Cubs

#3

The Chicago Cubs made history in 2016 and finally ended the curse that kept them from winning a championship since 1908.  Can they make history again in 2017 and repeat?

My 2016 Predictions

1st in NL Central, lose in NLDS

Jake Arrieta will spend at least 1-2 months on the DL.

2016 Results

103-58, 1st in NL Central, won the World Series

Going into the 2016 season, few would argue against the fact that the Cubs were the most talented team in the league.  Being so young, I thought they were one or two years away from finally putting it all together.  I was wrong.  They dominated the regular season and showed that destiny was on their side by making their way all the way to the championship.  It is impressive to pull off something like this when the pressure of so much futility is on your backs.  The Cubs overcame that and did the impossible.  As for my Fearless Prediction, Jake Arrieta may not have ended up on the DL, but he did see a drop off in production as his work load finally caught up with him.

Additions / Subtractions

The scary part when you think about the 2017 Cubs is they are bringing back almost the exact same roster they had in 2016.  Very few changes were made simply because so much of their roster is so young.  Aroldis Chapman went back to the Yankees, but the Cubs traded Jorge Soler to the Royals for the dominant Wade Davis.  Jason Hammel signed elsewhere in free agency, but he was replaced with veteran Brett Anderson.  Dexter Fowler signed with the Cardinals, but he was replaced internally with the Cubs' outstanding farm system.  Not to mention, Kyle Schwarber is now healthy, considered one of the best young hitters in baseball.

Most Important Hitter

Jason Heyward

If anyone on the Cubs was disappointed by the way the 2016 season turned out, it was Jason Heyward.  After signing the huge contract before 2016, Heyward's bat fell asleep, leading to a .230 average with 7 home runs and 49 RBI's.  This led to Heyward watching most of the postseason from the bench.  The Cubs are talented all over the field, but unless Heyward starts to produce at the plate like he is capable of, 2016 might be remembered for both the World Series win and one of the worst free agent contracts ever given.

Most Important Pitcher

Kyle Hendricks

For the second year in a row, a pitcher for the Cubs came out of nowhere and is now considered one of the best in the game.  2015 brought us Jake Arrieta.  2016 brought us Kyle Hendricks.  Although the Cubs' lineup is filled with young talent, their starting rotation is quite old, with Hendricks the only pitcher under 30 starting the year in the rotation.  With Jon Lester continuing to age and Jake Arrieta entering his contract year, the Cubs need Hendricks to emerge as the ace of the staff moving into the future.

Player to Watch

Albert Almora, Jr.

The player benefiting the most from the absence of Dexter Fowler in the Cubs' outfield is rookie Albert Almora, Jr.  Almora got a decent run last season, playing in 47 games.  He barely kept his rookie status for 2017, and now he is entering the season as the team's starting centerfielder.  The Cubs have an outstanding farm system, but Almora is one of the few great prospects they have that is poised to make an impact for the Cubs this season.  Some might have an impact through trade, but Almora will be patrolling the outfield for the Cubs for awhile.

2017 Prediction

1st in NL Central, lose in NLCS

The Cubs are once again the most talented team in baseball.  I see them once again having the best record in baseball.  With all that said, it is extremely hard to win back-to-back World Series championships.  It hasn't happened in almost 20 years, and it has only happened three times for a National League team.  (One of those three just happens to be the last time the Cubs won...)  The Cubs will have a good run, but I see the age of their pitching catch up to them, leaving them just short of the World Series.

Fearless Prediction

The Chicago Cubs will set the record for most wins in a season in 2017.

I see the Cubs writing a similar script to the Golden State Warriors in 2017.  The Warriors were the up-and-coming team everyone loved that played their way to a championship in 2015.  The 2016 Warriors won more games than any other NBA team in history, but they couldn't win the title.  I see the Cubs following a similar path.  Everyone loved the 2016 Cubs as they won their title.  With the makeup of this team, I could see them respond this season by having a historic run.  However, it seems every historic run ends in something less than a championship.  Look for the Cubs to top the 116 win total set by the 2001 Mariners and the 1906 Cubs.