Something drastic needs to change for the Chicago Cubs if they want to compete for a championship in future seasons.
Despite hopes of contending for a National League Central crown, the Cubs have been brutally underwhelming in 2024. Sitting at 61-64, Chicago owns just a 3.9% chance to make the postseason, according to ESPN's playoff probability model.
Expectations were high, and the Cubs simply haven't delivered. The Cubs re-signed former MVP Cody Bellinger, brought in Craig Counsell, and made him the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball. But here they sit, 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.
The disappointment is a tough pill for the Cubs to swallow. And according to one Chicago baseball insider, they could address that disappointment by making a power play in free agency this winter.
According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Cubs are likely to pursue Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes this winter in free agency.
"I think he’ll be their No. 1 guy that they’ll be looking for next year as far as a free agent," Levine said." Again, the old adage is ‘If you need more hitting, go and get yourself the best pitcher in baseball, okay?’... And I think the Cubs will be players for Burnes."
Burnes, 29, . The 2021 National League Cy Young winner played the first six seasons of his career with the Cubs' bitter rival, the Milwaukee Brewers, where he was managed by current Cubs skipper Counsell.
In 2024, Burnes has once again been brilliant. He secured his fourth-straight All-Star appearance and owns a 12-5 record, 3.10 ERA, and 1.11 WHIP. Those numbers were even better before his last outing when Burnes allowed eight earned runs to the Boston Red Sox.
Though the Cubs rotation hasn't been the main issue in 2024, it has lacked the consistent presence of a true ace. First-year star Shota Imanaga has had some setbacks after an incredible start to his Cubs career, while 2023 ace Justin Steele has dealt with injuries and inconsistency.
Adding Burnes would assuredly make the Cubs much more intimidating in 2025 and beyond. But with competition expected to be fierce, will the Chicago front office make that type of investment in a team currently nowhere close to World Series contention?
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