Ready to fix Cubs? Start with this true-false quiz
There was a clear consensus from all involved when Cubs season ended: 83 wins is not enough.
So while the MLB playoffs gain steam, the Cubs will be trying to figure out how to take a significant step forward in 2025. To help with that process, we've created a Cubs true-false quiz.
The rules here are: 1) Be decisive and 2) Send your answers directly to Cubs Tower at Gallagher Way. Here we go, true or false.
1. Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are a winning combination in the outfield.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer made strong commitments to both players in 2022, giving no-trade clauses that run through the 2025 season. Either of them could be traded, in theory, but would have to approve any deal.
Among qualified outfielders, Suzuki ranked third in MLB with an .848 OPS this season, trailing only Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Happ has produced a fairly consistent 20 home runs, 80 RBI and .780 OPS over the last four years, with two Gold Gloves. So no complaints here, or are there?
2. The Cubs do a nice job of developing pitchers.
There's a growing list of starters that began their careers in the organization. Justin Steele has obviously been the standout, backed up by Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Cade Horton, Brandon Birdsell and sort of Ben Brown, who was drafted by the Phillies.
In the postseason, though, there's plenty of focus on dominant bullpens and that part has been lagging. For every Porter Hodge, there are many more like Brailyn Marquez, Jeremiah Estrada. Codi Heuer, Trevor Megill, Manny Rodriguez, Ben Leeper — once promising relievers who were either injured or let go. Adbert Alzolay might miss all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
3. The Cubs secretly hope Cody Bellinger opts out.
Bellinger will decide whether to opt out of his contract or stick with the Cubs for $27.5 million, a lot of money to spend on someone who finished 66th in OPS this season. Since he won MVP, last year with the Cubs is really the outlier performance for Bellinger, so it's easy to wonder what kind of interest there would be on the open market.
At the same time, Bellinger was easily the team's best hitter this year with runners in scoring position. But imagine what the Cubs could do with the payroll flexibility.
4. Matt Shaw will be a better hitter than Nico Hoerner.
Considering the no-trade clauses already passed out, Hoerner by default sort of becomes the team's most tradable asset. Minor-league comparisons are tough since Hoerner basically skipped Triple A. Shaw did post an .843 OPS in 100 games at Double A, compared to Hoerner's .743. Now how do they compare on defense? Maybe Shaw is the one to trade.
5. The Cubs need an upgrade at catcher.
From July 1 to the end of the season, Miguel Amaya ranked 10th among all major-league catcher with a 120 wRC-plus (minimum 120 plate appearances), according to fangraphs.com He also had an impressive 12.5% strikeout rate.
Meanwhile at Triple A, the Cubs have Moises Ballesteros, ranked the No. 44 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. The Venezuela native logged 68 games at Iowa last season. What's more likely, Amaya builds on his strong second half or Ballesteros keeps hitting in the majors? Or both. Or neither.
6. Isaac Paredes will bounce back from his miserable finish.
This was a big valley season for Paredes. He made the all-star team with the Rays, then hit .136 in July and .165 in August before picking it up in September. Cam Smith, this year's first-round pick, is already making a strong run for third baseman of the future. But a better Paredes performance would increase the Cubs' options.
7. Given the 2.9 million attendance, the Cubs will be spenders in free-agency.
A lot of that depends on what Bellinger does. But the point of all these questions is to demonstrate the difficult choices the Cubs will face while trying to increase victories.
Hoyer has done some good things since taking over for Theo Epstein. It's also his own fault the Cubs are so locked into an 83-win lineup.
Time to get to work.