Cubs Offseason Needs Go Well Beyond Replacing Happ and Suzuki
The Chicago Cubs head into this winter with a list of problems longer than any single signing can fix: an outfield losing two bats, a rotation in pieces, an organization under review, and a labor deadline looming. Chicago has a lot of work ahead before 2027, and the Cubs' offseason needs are hard to argue …
The Chicago Cubs face a multitude of offseason challenges beyond simply replacing outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Happ and Suzuki are both due to become free agents, with Happ posting a career-low 2.9 WAR in 2023 and Suzuki finishing with a career-best 5.1 WAR in 2026. The team's pitching rotation is in disarray, with Cade Horton sidelined for the season, Ben Brown's season ending due to a neck injury, and Edward Cabrera's performance called a "debacle."
The entire rotation appears to need significant renovation. The coaching staff and front office are also under scrutiny, with Jed Hoyer admitting the organization must undergo a comprehensive review. The collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, and a lockout could complicate matters further. The Cubs must decide which of their numerous offseason needs to tackle first, with the calendar adding pressure to make decisions before the lockout deadline.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
