Chicago Cubs — Ready to Crash the Party?

Chicago had a great season in 2025, winning 90+ games and proving they’re ready to be taken seriously. Now, with offseason tweaks and young talent emerging, the Cubs are positioning themselves as a true NL Central threat.

Steady Rotation, Growing Confidence

The Cubs starters delivered plenty of innings last year — not always with eye-popping results, but with enough consistency to keep the club in games. Colin Rea and Jameson Taillon offered veteran stability, while rookie hurler Cade Horton showed that he belongs in The Show, putting up 11 wins with a sub-2.70 ERA.

Offensive Profile

The Cubs offense was nothing if not consistent. Top 10 in most categories, scored the 5th most runs in MLB, 6th most homers, they stole 161 bases, which was good for 3rd in the league – this Cubs offense was making life hard on opposing pitchers. Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki had great seasons en route to landing Chicago a Wild Card spot, behind division rival Milwaukee with a league-best 97 wins. Despite the offseason loss of Kyle Tucker, this team looks poised to take the next step.

Offseason Activity

Outside of making the big splash on offense by signing Alex Bregman, Chicago has been very active in the relief market, adding pieces designed to solidify late innings and shorten games for their starters. They also re-signed Shota Imanaga and added Edward Cabrera to bolster that rotation in 2026, led by Justin Steele, who is expected to return to the head of the mound early in the season.

Biggest Needs Entering 2026

• Second-tier power: A true game-breaking bat behind the top of the lineup would elevate this club into consistent contender status.
• Rotation depth: The Cubs want insurance behind their reliable arms — particularly if they’re going to keep pace with Milwaukee.

Have They Addressed It?

Yes. They added Alex Bregman to the lineup, but it will be hard for Bregs to replicate the production of the departing Kyle Tucker, but since this Cubs lineup had production from everywhere, I’m sure it will be just fine.

On the pitching side, the bullpen has been completely reinforced. I think I’ll actually be disappointed if the Cubs unit isn’t the top bullpen in the league in 2026. Additionally, I rotation featuring Cade Horton, Colin Rea, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, and a returning Justin Steele will be fun to watch. Plus, the North Siders have a 6’6″ righty waiting in the wings in AAA with #58 prospect Jaxon Wiggins, who sits at 98 mph, and can reach triple digits. With all that pitching talent, I’d expect the Cubs to try and move a starter midseason to try to add more firepower to that lineup for an October run.

Our Take

The Cubs are on the rise. They’re solid who to this point have been a little more aggressive than their division counterparts and could be a real threat to overtake in incumbent Milwaukee Brewers for the crown in the NL Central. Only time will tell.