MLB team reports:
The Cubs, Cardinals and Cleveland are turning over; are the Twins headed for a step forward? Pages 10-17.
What of Kris Bryant? The 2016 National League MVP is a free agent after this season and trade rumors have swirled around the 29-year-old.
The Cubs may sell low on their homegrown star but could wait until midseason – to see if they’re in contention or if he raises his value – to reevaluate the situation.
Of course, the organization could decide that it wants to commit to Bryant long term.
Rebuilding the rotation: Kyle Hendricks is a constant but Jon Lester and Jose Quintana left as free agents while Yu Darvish was traded.
The Cubs got Zach Davies (2.73 ERA in 69 1⁄3 innings in 2020) in the Darvish trade, but beyond the top two – and maybe Alec Mills (4.48 ERA in 11 starts) – nobody has a spot solidified heading into spring training.
There’s not much depth either, although Adbert Alzolay looked good in a small sampling and top prospect Brailyn Marquez reached the majors last year. As spring training draws near, the Cubs need to be active and try to add a couple of veterans who can eat innings.
Kimbrel concerns: The Craig Kimbrel era hasn’t gone quite as planned and he lost the closer’s job in 2020, but the seven-time All-Star was great down the stretch, posting a 1.42 ERA in his last 14 appearances. That run provides some hope heading into the new season, but the ninth inning is still going to be a question mark in 2021.
Rowan Wick did well last year in the late innings and is the likely candidate to earn saves if Kimbrel isn’t up for the job.
Finding a spot for Hoerner: One of the Cubs’ top prospects in recent years, Nico Hoerner played five positions in 2020 but struggled at the plate, batting .222 with a .571 OPS in 108 at-bats. The team doesn’t have an obvious starter in center field (although Ian Happ can play the position), so Hoerner might be the best option.
Hoerner will also see time at second base, but it’s important that manager David Ross finds regular playing time for the 23-year-old who was the Cubs’ firstround pick in 2018.
Lack of depth: There’s plenty of time left in the offseason, but the Cubs are in desperate need of bodies – especially if there ends up being a designated hitter in the NL.
Non-roster invite Matt Duffy is the only infielder on the projected bench with extensive big-league experience, while Phillip Ervin pencils in as the team’s fourth outfielder.
The Cubs must fill out the roster, ideally with versatile veterans and a few bats who can help replace the power of the now-departed Kyle Schwarber.
OFFSEASON OUTLOOK
The Cubs need to decide if they are going to move forward with what’s left of this core (potentially exploring trades of free agents to be in Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez) and whether those choices necessitate a rebuild.
2020 record:
34-26
First place, NL Central; lost to the Marlins in the wild-card round