The Chicago Cubs enter the season with big expectations. Many view this team as the favorite in the National League Central, leading to excitement for Cubs fans.
This offseason was decent, possibly one that could've seen more get done by the front office, but overall, adding Shota Imanaga, Hector Neris, and manager Craig Counsell was solid, yet it still didn't meet early expectations.
Will Leitch of MLB.com was impressed with Chicago's offseason, however, and ranks them No. 12 in the latest power rankings. He writes that it was a pleasant spring for the organization and one that has established them as the NL Central favorites.
While the ranking is fair, there are concerns about the Cubs.
If Bellinger doesn't have the year he had in 2023 and Seiya Suzuki doesn't hit the way he did in the second half of last season, it's tough to picture this offense doing much.
There's talent there with Christopher Morel, Michael Busch, and Dansby Swanson, but this lineup doesn't feel like they have enough firepower if the previous two names struggle.
Outside of the lineup concerns, this is a good team.
Even if the lineup isn't deadly, they'll still win plenty of games.
It'll be interesting to see if they can live up to the hype that's been put on them this winter.
Counsell alone should be a big improvement for this team, and if Imanaga can do what he did in Japan, this is one of the better rotations in the National League.
Chicago had the highest ranking in the NL Central, comfortably ahead of the Cincinnati Reds at No. 15.
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