https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/page/103/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/nico-hoerners-last-stand-r1522/The 2025 season will be the second baseman's last chance to prove he can be consistent and healthy enough to factor into the long-term plans for the Cubs. Is he up to it? If you only look at his forearms, it's easy to dream on Nico Hoerner taking a big step forward in the power department as...1522Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:05:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/predicting-the-chicago-cubs-daily-lineups-after-acquiring-justin-turner-r1519/Signing the hirsute veteran makes all the Cubs' likely combinations of positions and batting order slots a bit more appealing. How often will he play, though—and where will he best bolster the existing lineup? In response to losing out in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, the Chicago Cubs signed...1519Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:32:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/kevin-alc%C3%A1ntara-gage-workman-and-daniel-palencia-stand-out-in-cubs-cactus-league-opener-r1520/The Cubs are back in game action. The scores don't matter and the contests will be populated with minor-leaguers for most of the next month, but Thursday offered a huge milestone—and some fun Statcast-fueled insights. The Chicago Cubs drubbed the Los Angeles Dodgers in their season opener Th...1520Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:14:08 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/with-alexander-canario-officially-out-of-the-picture-outfield-depth-becomes-even-bigger-need-for-cubs-r1518/The Cubs have officially set themselves up to open the season with a four-person bench composed of people who weren't in the organization at the end of last September. One of those four might not even be in the organization now. To make room for new signee Justin Turner, the Cubs designated...1518Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:26:21 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/make-or-break-players-for-cubs-in-2025-jordan-wicks-r1517/A former top prospect in the Cubs’ system, the southpaw armed with an elite changeup needs to produce a strong 2025 campaign in order to remain relevant in the organization. Jordan Wicks has long been a favorite of mine, as he's steadily climbed the minor-league ranks since being picked 21st...1517Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/can-the-cubs-get-away-with-using-justin-turner-as-a-pinch-hitter-for-pete-crow-armstrong-r1515/The Cubs' restructuring of the bench this winter has largely focused on defense. Now, they have one genuine bench bat—but how will they use him? Matt Shaw will man third base during the 2025 campaign, with Jon Berti as the backup. Justin Turner is too old to play such an active defensive pos...1515Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:10:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-kyle-tucker-trade-is-the-only-thing-holding-up-an-otherwise-rough-cubs-offseason-r1514/December's trade ignited a Cubs fanbase that has been starving for relevance. At the time, it was thought to be the first big move in what could've been a big offseason for Jed Hoyer and the rest of the Cubs braintrust. So far, though, the big move after that big move hasn't materialized. Af...1514Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:05:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-cubs-outfield-defense-might-be-their-secret-source-of-major-improvement-r1516/The Cubs had too many boxes on their offseason checklist to make upgrading the outfield defense a major priority—but they found a way to do that, anyway. Late last week, MLB.com’s Mike Petriello published a piece in which he examined the most improved defenses among contenders (while also ex...1516Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:45:34 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/javier-assad-and-the-mighty-fip-beaters-r1509/The Cubs' run prevention has been strange and uneven over the last four years. But there might be signs of a corner being turned. While browsing through some stats the other day, I came across something I found interesting. Allow me to rattle off six teams, and I’ll let you decide what they...1509Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:04:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/whose-roster-spot-will-justin-turner-take%E2%80%94and-does-the-answer-depend-on-other-moves-r1513/The Chicago Cubs already had four or five guys for a four-man bench. Then they signed a free agent on a guaranteed deal. So: now what? By acclamation, the Cubs needed one more good bench piece to complete their roster, even before considering their lingering interest in a possible blockbuste...1513Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:18:45 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/how-justin-turner-fits-and-can-contribute-for-chicago-cubs-defensively-r1512/He'll be a welcome veteran presence—even by the young guys at each infield corner, because neither of them should feel threatened by the Cubs' newest bat. With the Chicago Cubs bringing in Justin Turner on a one-year deal Tuesday, there will be an immediate reaction from certain circles that...1512Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:43:22 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/breaking-cubs-to-sign-first-basemandh-justin-turner-to-one-year-deal-r1510/Checking the final absolutely necessary box on their to-do list, the Chicago Cubs snagged a beloved veteran and right-handed hitter to complement their starting, left-handed-hitting first baseman. The Chicago Cubs are finalizing an agreement to sign first baseman and DH Justin Turner, a sour...1510Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:49:00 +0000