Presenting the 2025 Chicago Cubs as National League contenders
By Bill Felber
The Chicago Cubs core for their next contender
Nico Hoerner, shortstop. Hoerner is only 25, and he’s in the process of establishing himself as both a legit contact hitter and a reliable middle infielder. His 15 percent strikeout rate, while not exceptional, is solidly above the MLB average. He’ll not hit for power, which means he has to work on his on base skills.
Kyle Hendricks, starter. He’s the steadying force every pitching staff needs. Beyond that, Hendricks’ modest velocity makes him a comparatively unattractive free agent, which conversely means he’s likely to re-up with the Cubs when his current deal expires following the 2023 season. Hendricks is 32, so he would be 35 in 2025.
Rowan Wick, closer. Wick isn’t technically the closer yet (when healthy, that’s David Robertson’s job). But his 14 strikeouts and 0.77 ERA in 12 innings suggest he’s headed that way. There’s nothing teams like better than affordable bullpen help, and Wick will still only be an arbitration-eligible in 2025.
Seiya Suzuki, right field. Suzuki is a Cub at least through 2026. If the Cubs truly do hit an upward trend soon, he will be a big part of the reason why. Coming over from Japan, where he was the 2021 batting champion, Suzuki has a solid .366 on base average and .845 OPS.
Keegan Thompson, starter. Thompson hasn’t been anointed a member of the rotation yet, but that will happen soon. In 27 innings, he has a 2-0 record and 1.67 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. Of all the young Cubs pitching, he has so far displayed the most legitimate stuff.
Ian Happ, left field. No guarantees here. Happ hits free agency in 2024 and, unless he improves the consistency of his production, which to date has equated to just 1.5 WAR per season, the Cubs aren’t likely to aggressively bid to keep him. Of course if Happ does develop that consistency, his price goes up, which may also make him unattractive for entirely different reasons.