Cubs Week In Review: Big Moves Must Lead to More Than Modest Reults

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We've arrived at the time of year when everyday citizens and, in fact, professional baseball teams show off their shiny new gifts. As faithful Cubs fans, we know Santa Hoyer isn't sliding down the chimney with any big-ticket presents. Still, perhaps this week's torrent of activity indicates the Cubbies will get what they need this holiday season and beyond. 

If you're one of the millions of podcasters across the globe, you could very well justify dedicating a myriad of episodes to how the Cubs blew numerous critical games in their doomed quest to reach the postseason. Two such topics rich with fodder were the North Sider's inability to produce clutch hits and a bullpen that oftentimes came unraveled in high-leverage situations. It is no surprise that the bulk of the six players non-tendered by the Cubs this past week served as either relief pitching or designated hitter. When it comes to the former, the move that sent shockwaves through Wrigleyville was the release of 2023 All-Star closer Adbert Alzolay, whose long Cubs journey saw him go from a starting pitching prospect and owner of one of the coolest bobbleheads ever to a shutdown closer. Finally, to the maligned reliever the squad got during the 2024 season. For a time considered one of the more sure-fire closers in the game, Alzolay's ERA doubled from 2.67 in 2023 to 4.67 in 2024. What's waiting on the other side of the winter meetings and the duration of the offseason might not be any better, but that wasn't good enough by any measure. One huge move Craig Counsell's club made this week to counter the departure of Alzolay was the acquisition of former Cleveland Guardians reliever Eli Morgan. Of all the changes that just came through, including the exits of fan favorites Mike Tauchman and Patrick Wisdom, Morgan has the biggest impact on the club's more immediate future.

Designated hitter is the most difficult role in baseball. For that matter, pinch hitter is too. If you're not hitting or delivering crucial offense in even more crucial situations, you're not providing much value to your franchise. I loved Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, and Mike Tauchman when they came through, and I scratched my head when they didn't. My scalp itched a lot last season. As all three players now find themselves lost in the catacombs of free agency, what the Cubs figure to do with the financial return their exodus created remains unclear. I'll be happy if we wake up to a phone notification proclaiming Max Fried to be a Cub. Even without a murderer's row of electric hitting, a stout starting pitching rotation will keep you in contention, and the Cubbies proved as much in 2024. Despite Justin Steele's substantial dip in production across all categories, staff ace Shota Imanaga, who finished a respectable 5th in Cy Young voting, set the tone for his fellow starters and had a clear residual effect, especially in April and September. If the Cubbies yield any positive results from this offseason, a complementary starting pitcher has to take up residency in Chicago. 

I don't know many other ball clubs that can do so much in a week yet still leave the fan base feeling the same. The organization trusts in the talent developed from within. How much of that trust will be rewarded?

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