What would the Cubs' batting lineup look like at the top if they manage to get Juan Soto? ft. Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, and Seiya Suzuki
The Chicago Cubs had a decent 2024 season, finishing with an 83-79 record. Despite picking up a string of positive results in the second half of the campaign, they ultimately missed out on qualifying for the postseason.
One of the key issues that often held the 2016 World Series winners back was an offense that often failed to produce to the required standard. Reportedly, the ownership is looking at highly sought-after free agent Juan Soto as an option to help improve in that department.
If the Cubs manage to acquire the Dominican superstar, they will add one of the major league's best bats to their lineup, arguably even making them favorites to lift the NL Central division title. Here is how their lineup will shape up with the potential addition of Soto.
- Ian Happ
- Juan Soto
- Seiya Suzuki
- Cody Bellinger
- Dansby Swanson
- Nico Hoerner
- Michael Busch
- Isaac Paredes
- Pete Crow-Armstrong
Happ and Soto would make for a great right-left combo at the top of the order, with powerful hitters Suzuki and Bellinger to follow up in case they get on base. With the likes of Hoerner and Crow-Armstrong, the lineup also boasts plenty of pace and base-stealing potential.
MLB insider slams Cubs ownership for unambitious approach
On Friday, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal talked about how the Chicago Cubs were in a position to take control of the NL Central with the kind of resources they possess as compared to the rest of the franchises in their division. However, due to their unambitious approach, the organization was letting the opportunity pass them.
This led Rosenthal to label the Cubs' ownership as the "Dorks of the week" on "Fair Territory."
"I'm going to go with the Cubs ownership (as the 'Dork of the week')," Rosenthal said. "The reason for that is all we're hearing out of Chicago, the north side is 'we're not going to be involved in any of the big free agents.' They're trying to trade Cody Bellinger, The Cubs (are) playing in a division that is imminently winnable, Milwaukee's really good, but they can obviously be better than the Milwaukee Brewers, they have more resources than the Milwaukee Brewers.
"They (Chicago) have the ability, if they spend some money, to become a special team. They're a little bit away, we all recognize that they need more starting pitching, more offense as well, and a better bullpen."
Rosenthal then discussed the other teams in the NL Central and their potential outlooks this offseason.
"Look at that division, Milwaukee, they're not going to spend, we know that, they never spend," Rosenthal said. "Pittsburgh, they're Pittsburgh. Cincinnati, they might be a little bit better, they're trying to do some things, but they're Cincinnati. St. Louis is clearly taking a step back. So, the Cubs have an opportunity here to maybe seize control of this division, and they are squandering it."
With plenty to improve on and if they wish to relive the glory they experienced almost a decade ago, Cubs fans will be hoping their team's front office eventually addresses some areas that need urgent upgrades and brings in some much-needed talent this offseason.