Top 25 North Side Baseball Most-Viewed Articles of 2023: Part 4 (6-10)

Welcome to the penultimate day of 2023, and to the penultimate list in our series of most-viewed articles this year. We've got more on the now-former manager. Trade ideas. Free agent pitchers. And a nice feel-good story about a pitcher who has spent time between Triple-A and the big leagues since 2017. 

#10  A Trade a Day: How the Cubs Could Buy Big for 2024, in 2023 
by Matt Trueblood
July 19

As Matt wrote within this article, “Yes, this is a ‘the Cubs should trade for Juan Soto” post. Notice the date. The idea was that the Cubs should be aggressive and proactive. In thinking about 2023, a move for Soto would have also helped them in 2024. Obviously the Padres weren’t going to just stop spending, but like other teams, the Padres’ local TV situation makes things a little big cloudy. As you know, that trade didn’t happen. In fact, Soto remained with the Padres through the season. During the Winter Meetings, he was traded to the Yankees. It is fun to think about what the Cubs would have needed to send to San Diego for Soto, but it’s more fun to think about the impact the young slugger could have on the Cubs lineup in 2023 and 2024. 

#9  If the Cubs Miss the Playoffs, there’s One Man to Blame 
by Brandon Glick
Sep 22 

Despite the Cubs exceeding their expectations in 2023, they fell out of playoff contention about a week before the end of the season. A lot of good things happened, but there was always a contingent of Cubs fans and writers who did not want to give Ross any credit. I would say it is fair to say that Brandon is not a big David Ross (or Jed Hoyer) fan. He cites lineup issues, bunting, not playing their intriguing prospects when they were called up and not resting veterans enough. 

#8  David Ross is not the Manager the Cubs Need to Turn the Corner 
by Matt Trueblood
May 9

Apparently this has been a theme. David Ross, a long-time big leaguer and fan favorite, made a ton of questionable decisions as a big-league manager. Every fanbase thinks that their manager does things they shouldn’t. Other players have been hired as managers soon after their playing careers with no previous coaching or managing experience. That shouldn’t be an issue for someone who has been in the game for a long time. As you can see these back-to-back articles saying Ross isn’t the guy came in September and previously in May (and there were more). There was questionable bullpen usage, and starter usage. There are lineup questions, too much bunting and not enough pinch hitting.  

#7  Sizing Up the Cubs Offseason Needs and Top Priorities Part 1 
by FullCountTommy
Oct 3

In Part 1 of “Tommy’s” review of the Cubs offseason needs, he considered two top priorities. The first was re-signing Cody Bellinger. The second was to add a strong #1 or #2 starting pitcher to team with Justin Steele in a playoff series. Then he highlighted about 10 starting pitchers that were free agents or potentially available via trade. Four of the free agents have signed elsewhere already. However, there are several of these options that remain available. 

#6  The Mark Leiter Jr Bandwagon is Leaving the Station  
by Brandon Glick
Aug 30

As you know, Mark Leiter’s father pitched in the big leagues for over a decade. His uncle Al pitched in the big leagues forever. The younger Leiter has been up and down in the big league going back to 2017. Last January, he was made available on waivers and went unclaimed. Back with the Cubs in 2023, he pitched very well. Often during the season, he was the best option for David Ross to go to. Can he be part of the longer-term future? Should he be?

The countdown will continue tomorrow, but 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) - Coming Tomorrow!