I think what 2024 proved for the Cubs is that the next level, which is competition and playoff advancement, cannot be reached until the last of the baby teeth have come out. What was holding back the new, intimidating, explosive version of this Cubs team were some of the dispatches from its 2021-2022 era of tanking. Once those aren't weighing the team back, they can actually make moves to outlast the Brewers, Cardinals and Reds next year.
One of those big pieces of dead weight, sadly, was the last remaining member of the 2016 World Series team, respected ace Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks...had a weird season. He began with a 10.57 ERA, and an 0-4 record. Hendricks had struggled before, but this was painful, and moving him to the bullpen was really the only choice the Cubs had. Then, amazingly, Hendricks rebounded. In his next ten games, Hendricks had a 3.86 ERA, culminating in a return to the rotation. Whatever he was struggling with, he seemed to get the hang of. And then, of course, he struggled again as the season went on, ending with a 5.92 ERA. But, crucially, his last start for the Cubs was a true gem. He went 8 innings against the Reds and allowed 2 hits and no runs. For what is likely Hendricks' last start at Wrigley in blue, he left the fans satisfied.
2025 Prediction: For the Angels, Hendricks will be decent, with some shades of his Cubs numbers, but more akin to Tim Lincecum's stint there.
The other piece of dead weight that needed to go was Patrick Wisdom. Wisdom was the one piece that remained after the 2021 purge, and his early work laid the basis for a nice few years as a power bat. Unfortunately, the magic has worn off, and Wisdom is now a below-average power bat with no infield perks. In 75 games he hit .171 with 8 homers, as his position was deemed null by Isaac Paredes. Unsurprisingly, the Cubs non-tendered him last month. What else was he really capable of contributing at this point?
2025 Prediction: Serviceable bench bat for somebody dangerous. I say Tampa.
The Yan Gomes experiment wore off in 2024, meaning the starting position finally belonged to Miguel Amaya, who'd been waiting for a couple years. Amaya is a solid defensive catcher with the occasional offensive perk. As a starter, he made for a definite upgrade, with a 1.7 WAR, 47 RBIs and 8 homers in 117 games. The Cubs need someone like Amaya, just a steady, trustworthy catcher who doesn't need to be the center of attention, and can just keep pumping.
2025 Prediction: Wins a gold glove. Or at least is up for one.
It was a headline-causing incident earlier in the year when the Mets unceremoniously cut Jorge Lopez after throwing a tantrum after a game and proclaiming the Mets 'the worst team in the MLB', not knowing that without him they'd get to an NLCS. But the Cubs, never averse to a bargain, capitalized on this by bringing Lopez on in a crucial relief role. As good as Lopez was in Queens, he may have been better in Chicago; in 24 games, Lopez had a 2.03 ERA with 31 strikeouts. This was Lopez's most wired-in, confident season in years, and hopefully wherever he ends up in 2025 will be a better fit than the Mets.
2025 Prediction: I mean, the Mets ARE looking for bullpen help. Lol. Honestly, it wouldn't shock me if somebody like Kansas City or Minnesota brings him back, they both need guys like him.
The Cubs' initial closing man, Adbert Alzolay, struggled with injuries all year. Their eventual next pick, Hector Neris, squandered the opportunity by being reminded of how terrible he is in the ninth. And so it was up to rookie Porter Hodge, already having an excellent season in relief, to take the closing job next. I think the Cubs may have an answer; Hodge got the closing job late in August, and was responsible for 7 saves to end the year, including polishing off Kyle Hendricks' 8-inning shutout to end his Cubs tenure. Hodge was also the reliever that closed the door on Shota Imanaga's no-hit bid in September. Hodge is young, efficient and confident, and he could be a strong closing option for the Cubs going forward.
2025 Prediction: It really is a question of how much the Cubs trust Hodge at this point, because they could very easily get a Kenley Jansen or somebody to take the ninth. I think they do give it to him, and while I don't think he'll get to 40 saves immediately, I think he'll make them proud.
After doing nothing with the Marlins, Christian Bethancourt found himself a free agent, around the time the Cubs were phasing out of Yan Gomes. They were ultimately a perfect match for each other, and Bethancourt returned to his 2022-era surprise dominance. In 24 games, he hit .281 with 15 RBIs and 4 homers, culminating in a wild .814 OPS.
2025 Prediction: Doesn't do that again. That only shows up when teams aren't expecting it to. Still, that's not gonna stop somebody from taking him on as a backup next year.
The Cubs' big trade of the year was nabbing Isaac Paredes in exchange for Christopher Morel and Dylan Carlson. Paredes in Chicago was...fine. Nothing especially noteworthy or anything, which is kind of surprising for the guy who was supposed to lead them to the postseason. Paredes hit .223 in 52 games, only hitting 3 home runs and 25 RBIs. For contrast, he hit 16 homers and 55 RBIs in 101 games with the Rays. This wasn't the most opportune time for the learning curve to kick in.
2025 Prediction: I think letting him train with the Cubs from the start will be better for him, and he'll have a full year closer to his Tampa standards.
Very late in the season, the Cubs let the fans look into the future by bringing up prospect Kevin Alcantara. It's clear that not all of the Cubs' big prospects have worked lately, as Matt Mervis, Jordan Wicks and Alexander Canario haven't found their footing in the majors yet. Pete Crow Armstrong only got there recently, and his bat still has a-ways to go. So Alcantara was expected to, at the very least, get his feet wet and do one or two cool things. And that's kinda what happened. In 3 games he had 10 at-bats, 1 hit. Decent in the outfield, no immediate signs of anything else. Not sure when the next look at him will be, considering how set the Cubs' OF might be next year [it's Bellinger-Happ-Suzuki, with PCA backing up til Bellinger leaves], but he's definitely in the picture.
2025 Prediction: ...yeah, that IS a crowded OF picture, even with Canario there as well. If somebody is gonna get dealt this season, it might be Alcantara.
Coming Tomorrow- The Diamondbacks were inches from the playoffs and couldn't make it. A few reasons why they should have.
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