'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAb/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAkooqv//EAB0QAAICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFIQAGEvL/2gAIAQEAAT8ApYLEWeu15UpvNasWpEjsvKSfaoG8lda5Lisc8jsLU2yTv55//8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEf/aAAgBAgEBPwChpP/EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAgMS/9oACAEDAQE/ALZZaP/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2025 Chicago Cubs looks different than their 2024 version. They got rid of Cody Bellinger and added Kyle Tucker, signaling that while they want to keep payroll lower, they want to be better. Here are a few bold predictions about whether or not they will be.
Bold predictions for the Chicago Cubs
5) Justin Steele is a Cy Young finalist
Justin Steele had a promising season for the Cubs last year. At age 24, he recorded 3.0 fWAR, tied for the team lead, in just 24 starts. He's only getting better, and he could be poised for a breakout.
Trending
The NL has plenty of elite pitching: Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Logan Webb, Zack Wheeler and so many others. Steele will be considered among them by year's end.
4) Pete Crow-Armstrong wins a Platinum Glove
Pete Crow-Armstrong hasn't yet had a breakout offensive season, but he's one of the best defenders in baseball. He had 11 defensive runs saved in the outfield last year, and now the centerfield is his spot.
Assuming he takes another step forward defensively and gets more chances playing center, there's no reason to assume he can't be the best defender in the sport and win a Platinum Glove for his efforts.
3) Cubs win the NL Central
The NL Central isn't a relatively competitive division, but the Milwaukee Brewers, despite shedding talent every year, seem to be incapable of being bad. The Cincinnati Reds are poised for a breakout, and the Paul Skenes-led Pittsburgh Pirates are lurking.
That said, if things go well with the new-look roster under Craig Counsell, a 93+ win season and a division crown are certainly possible for the Cubs. It might be harder to get than initially anticipated, though.
2) Craig Counsell wins Manager of the Year
Craig Counsell has won Manager of the Year before. He didn't have a tremendous year with the Cubs after leaving the Milwaukee Brewers, but he's still one of the best managers in the entire sport.
As long as he, with an improved roster, can do the above prediction and get his team into the playoffs after the very disappointing 2024 season, he should be a good candidate for the managerial award.
1) Kyle Tucker will win NL MVP
Kyle Tucker very well could've been an MVP candidate last year. He was off to a hot start, recording 4.2 fWAR in just 78 games. That's a pace of 8.7 for the entire season, which would've ranked him fourth in all of baseball.
The NL is certainly filled with MVP contenders more than the AL, though, with Shohei Ohtani, Elly De La Cruz, Ronald Acuna Jr., Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Mookie Betts and Fernando Tatis Jr. among others. Still, Tucker has the talent and could put it all together.
