Three biggest offseason questions facing Cubs

After posting an 83-79 record in Craig Counsell's first season as manager, the Chicago Cubs are hoping that 2025 will bring a return to the postseason.

One of the biggest questions for the Cubs entering the offseason has already been answered as Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option for 2025 and will return to anchor the lineup. However, plenty of puzzles still need to be solved on the North Side if Chicago will play meaningful baseball in October.

Here are three questions surrounding the Cubs that need answers this offseason.

Who will be the closer?

Nine members of Chicago's bullpen recorded a save last season, with Hector Neris leading with 17. Neris finished the season with the Houston Astros, meaning the Cubs will be looking for someone to come into spring training as the closer-in-waiting.

Adbert Alzolay, who logged 22 saves for Chicago in 2023, took a step backward last season and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, so the Cubs won't be able to pencil his name into the closer spot. With that in mind and a closer-by-committee mindset to finish off 2024, next year's closer might not even be on the roster right now. 

If Chicago invests in the bullpen this offseason, finding a veteran closer should be at the top of the team's wish list.

Is Isaac Paredes the right fit at third base?

Acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in late July, the 25-year-old Paredes never hit his stride inside the Friendly Confines, slashing .223/.325/.307 in 212 plate appearances for Chicago. The former All-Star's struggles added to a problem at third base last season, with eight different Cubs combining for minus-1.9 bWAR, ranking 25th among MLB's 30 teams at the hot corner.

Paredes is expected to enter 2025 as the club's starting third baseman and isn't scheduled to become a free agent until the 2028 campaign. A slow start could force Counsell to look at other options at third base. That potential decision ties right in with our third question.

Who can provide some pop off the bench?

Last season, players such as Miles Mastrobuoni and Patrick Wisdom couldn't provide any kind of spark off the bench and struggled when they were in the game, combining for minus-0.7 bWAR.

With an infield of Parades, Dansby Swanson (shortstop), Nico Hoerner (second base) and Michael Busch (first base) firmly entrenched heading into next season, Counsell and the Cubs need to find someone who can supplant some of those starters on a day off and bring some offense to the table.

Also, finding a reliable utility bat to come off the bench in pinch-hitting situations could be significant. Last season, Wisdom and Mastrobuoni were the most-used and third-most-used pinch hitters, respectively, for the Cubs (with Michael Tauchman coming in second on the list). Chicago's pinch hitters combined for minus-0.6 bWAR, landing the Cubs in the middle of MLB's pack in that department, proving there is plenty of room for improvement. 

A new bat who can provide reliable depth at a few positions could be a key piece for the Cubs in 2025.