Top 25 Most-Viewed North Side Baseball Articles of 2024 (Part 3: 11-15)

Injuries were the highlight of the 2024 season for the Cubs, as they watched numerous key contributors go down for extended periods of time. Trades (and trade rumors) have dominated the offseason, from the team's addition of Kyle Tucker to the constant rumors swirling around Seiya Suzuki and the rest of the outfield gang. All that and more can be found in today's five articles that placed just outside the top ten in North Side Baseball's 2024 popularity contest. 

#15: The Cubs Must Trade One of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki Next Month 
Matthew Trueblood
June 25

Turns out, the Cubs didn't have to trade either Suzuki or Ian Happ, as they've since traded Cody Bellinger and brought in Tucker. Nevertheless, back in June, it was apparent that the Cubs weren't going anywhere, and were primed to be sellers by the trade deadline. As eight-figure outfielders with similar profiles — Happ having the better glove, Suzuki the more powerful bat — Matt argued that it would do the Cubs good to capitalize and fill another area of need on the roster by trading one of their expensive but redundant outfielders.

#14: Breaking Down the MLB Trade Rumors Candidates and How They Fit on the Chicago Cubs
Randy Holt 
November 2

As the offseason began, Randy took a look at the best trade candidates on the market, and whether or not the Cubs would be wise to pursue them. He ruled out a few names, like Devin Williams (division rival) and Jordan Montgomery (too expensive), but he did correctly point out that the Cubs would need to do something to address the Isaac Paredes problem at third base. He also gets bonus points for nailing the team's interest in Jesus Luzardo, whom the Cubs nearly grabbed before he was dealt to the Phillies.

#13: Trade with Astros Could be Path to Elusive Lineup for Chicago Cubs 
Matthew Trueblood
November 5

Yet another offseason preview article, and yet another accurate prediction from Trueblood. He perfectly noted that Paredes was a perfect fit for the Astros and the Crawford boxes in left field at the Minute Maid Park, though he didn't quite aim high enough with his expected return. In all fairness, after Bellinger opted-in to his contract for 2025, not many people were expecting the Cubs to target another outfielder in a trade.

#12: Projecting the Cubs 2024 Opening Day Roster, v. 2.0
Matthew Trueblood
January 17

Ah, the wide-eyed optimism of a new year with a new season on the horizon. Matt's predictions were mostly spot-on, though the Cubs did aggressively play Christopher Morel at third base before trading him, and Cody Bellinger came back to spell Mike Tauchman in center field. Surely we won't all fall susceptible to the promise that perpetually arrives every year this time around, right?

#11: Injury Ends 2024 Season for Key Cubs Pitcher, but his Future Remains Bright  
Brandon Glick
September 2 

Ben Brown only threw 55 1/3 innings in 2024, but they were tantalizing ones to say the least, Seeing him get shut down for good in early September stung, but it was the right choice as the Cubs hobbled to a disappointing 83-79 finish for the second straight year. His career is only just getting started, and he has to be considered one of the favorites for the fifth starter job in 2025, until and unless the Cubs add a starter via trade this offseason.

Which of these articles do you recall? What were your favorite topics from the year of 2024?