Article: Top 25 North Side Baseball Most-Viewed Articles of 2023: Part 5 (1-5)

[Seth Stohs]

Here we are, on the final day of 2023. Hopefully it has been a quality, successful year for you and your friends and family. It also means that we have reached our Top 5 most-viewed articles at Brewer Fanatic. Be sure to discuss these articles and share your Top 5 or Top 10 Brewers stories of 2023. 

Image courtesy of © David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

As I've mentioned before, I'm often surprised by the articles that are most successful or receive the most views. Even in the group below, you'll find some articles and not be surprised how well it would do. Others might surprise you by their randomness. When a team is fighting for a playoff spot right until the final days of the season, we want to consume everything we can. Once the season is over, figuring out the plans and priorities by looking at the present state of the roster. Everyone wants to know how much payroll their team can spend. And rumors. Everyone loves rumors. 

We hope that you have enjoyed this list. Feel free to discuss your favorite topics of the year. Add in your ranking of the top Cubs stories of the year. And Happy New Year to you and your families! 

#5  How Much Money do the Cubs have to Spend to Win in 2024 
by Matt Trueblood
Oct 11

Shortly after the season, Matt took a look at the Cubs payroll. They were around $230 million in 2023, just shy of the first Collective Bargaining threshold. He clearly explains the various thresholds or levels. There is a second level that will be about $257 million. There is a third level at about $277 million. There is a fourth level as well. After reviewing the free agents leaving and arbitration-eligible players, he noted where he believes that the Cubs need to be at, salary-wise, to take the next step into contending for a division title. Do you agree? 

#4  The Cubs Still have a 30 Percent Chance to Make the Playoffs 
by Matt Trueblood
Sep 28

You’re a Cubs fan. You saw the line drive that Seiya Suzuki lost in the lights, turning a game-ending putout into a loss. There were a couple of really tough losses. However, with just four games remaining, the Cubs still had a reasonable chance for a wild card spot. Optimism can be a powerful thing. 

#3  How Would the 2024 Chicago Cubs Line Up if the Season Started Monday  
by Matt Trueblood
Oct 9

I think it’s not only a fun exercise for baseball fans to do after the season, but it is an exercise that helps shape the offseason in your mind. In reality, this is a good exercise to do at various times throughout the offseason after every couple of transactions to see what the organization’s present needs are, and present priorities. In this article, Matt started with the incumbents at each position in a potential lineup, as well as showing the five players could be on the bench. Which players are certain to return? Which young players do they want to provide playing time for? Where can improvements be made? 

#2 The Jed Hoyer Cubs will Never Sign a Superstar; Will the Tom Ricketts Cubs Ever Do So?
by Matt Trueblood
Dec 13

While there were rumors that the Cubs might be involved in talks with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto , the history of Jed Hoyer tells us that the Cubs weren’t likely landing spots for either. Will he be willing to go to $200 million to sign Cody Bellinger? Jed Hoyer is known for his conservative nature, so we don’t really even know what might happen if he went to owner Tom Ricketts with a request to hand out a $300 million contract for someone down the road.    

#1  A Trade a Day: A Big Gamble that Could Land the Cubs a Long-Term Slugger 
by Matt Trueblood
Jul 17

The most-viewed article at North Side Baseball in 2023 came just two weeks before the trade deadline. Justin Steele was in the middle of his breakout season and the Cubs were struggling. Sometimes, selling high can catapult a team to the next level. Steele has now had two straight strong seasons, but do his stuff and his peripherals scream perennial success? That is what the Cubs’ brass would need to decide. The Cubs have four years of arbitration, four years of team control, before he can become a free agent. But could the Cubs pick up a package of prospects that would include a top hitting prospect in all of baseball that is close to big-league ready. 

The countdown is complete. If you missed a previous edition: 
Part 1 (21-25)
Part 2 (16-20)
Part 3 (11-15) 
Part 4 (6-10)
Part 5 (1-5) 

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