When Can The Cubs Start Competing Again?

We're all set for an Astros/Braves World Series, after the Braves beat the Dodgers in 6 games with a 4-2 final score after a deciding 3-run homer by Eddie Rosario. So, better then a Astros/Dodgers World Series (in my opinion) but I'll be cheering for the Braves in this World Series.

Now to the question you have all been waiting for: When Can The Cubs Start Competing Again? Well, of course I can't answer that question for sure, but based on different factors, we can get pretty good idea.

The Cubs Plan On Competing in 2022

Cubs' Chairman Tom Ricketts sent an email to Cubs fans and this is an excerpt:

"While we failed to extend our six-straight winning seasons streak and secure our spot in the postseason, we made important changes that put us in a position to succeed as we build the next great Cubs team. Beginning to replenish our much-improved farm system was just the start. Jed and the team are now focused on reloading our roster. We have the resources necessary to compete in 2022 and beyond, and we will use them. We will be active in free agency and continue to make thoughtful decisions to bolster our team this offseason."

That is a little bit to process, but the gist of what he was saying was "the Cubs plan is to try to compete in 2022". Of course some teams that plan on competing (the Padres and Mets come to mind) don't actually make it, but the point is the Cubs want to be in a position to compete in 2022.

So, how do they plan on competing? It's not like all the players and managers wake up one morning and decide "let's compete", it's a series of moves and preparations that the Cubs need to make. Here are a few that they need to do if they plan on competing:

• Bolster starting rotation and bullpen. One of many roster spots that needs to be taken care of, this is probably the biggest. (See my article on The Cubs Rotation for more info on that). Ricketts said "thoughtful decisions", which means they probably aren't to go out and sign Robbie Ray or Carlos Rodon to multi-year, hundred some million dollar deal. It means they will be targeting lower-cost, yet effective pitchers. Perhaps one more-expensive pitcher like Stroman might be in the works, though.
• Fill outfield spots. Happ, and Ortega will probably be in the outfield on Opening Day, but signing a lower-cost outfielder who is a good defender should be a priorty. Brennen Davis will probably make his MLB debut in 2022, so they should take that in consideration, but signing a good outfielder should happen this offseason.
• Fill infield spots. Madrigal and Schwindel are pretty much locked in for the start of 2022, but shortstop and third are in the air. Yes, Wisdom and Hoerner are options...but can we rely on them to produce results all year long? Hoerner has shown himself to be injury-prone, and Wisdom's strikeout rate is horrendous, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs targeted third basemen and shortstops this offseason.
• Figure out what to do with Heyward and Bote. Both had awful 2021 seasons (though Heyward's defense was as good as ever), and they could take one of two routes with them: trade them or hold on to them and see if they do better next year. Of course, there is the possibility one is traded and the other stays, and if that was the case I could see Heyward being traded (a lot of teams could use his defense and leadership), and Bote being given the chance to redeem himself.
• Better offense. As I've talked about in previous articles, zone control (strikeouts/walks/swinging in zone-out of zone), and hitting solid contact is a priority. You can't win games by not hitting, so adding a solid hitter would be a good goal as well.
• Consistency. Going into 2021, the Cubs wanted to compete, and riding high into June, the Cubs felt like they actually had a shot at competing. But then, inconsistency took over. A mixture of bad pitching and lack of hitting led to the elimination of the Cubs. Consistency is honestly the key- look at the Astros who have been consistently winning games for the past few years and it led to winning World Series. If the Cubs want to compete- consistency.

That's a lot to process, and a lot to work on- perhaps too much. Can the Cubs get enough good players to get the pitching, hitting, and defense up to competing level? Can they start hitting well and be consistent? All over one offseason?

So many questions that will remain to be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs end up having a solid rotation in 2022. Why? The Cubs' new GM, Carter Hawkins, spent 14 years in Cleveland's organization who brought up some stellar pitchers (Bauer, Kluber, Bieber come to mind). Hawkins knows what to look for, so I'm hoping for a solid rotation in 2022.

As far as how many players the Cubs will get over the offseason, or what quality of players, I'm not too sure. Will the Cubs take a quantity over quality approach like the 2020 offseason- getting players like Pederson, Marsinick, and others who could be great or end up doing bad, or will they only target lower-cost quality players who have a better chance of producing slightly above-average results?

If the Cubs somehow manage to accomplish all these goals I listed, prepare for competing. If they only get about two-thirds of that accomplished, I say probably not in 2022, but definitely in 2023, when they are in a better position.

I understand what the Cubs' future goals are: they want to be the kind of team that can be competing year after year for a longer period, kind of like the Astros, Dodgers or Braves. That only comes with a combination of building a good farm system; with players that are ready to perform well on a MLB level, and getting already good players that will help be the core of the team.

There are different ways to get to that point, and who your management is is definitely a part of it, but I like what I'm seeing in regards to the Cubs future. Who they have hired for management shows the direction, what they did in trading a bunch of players  for prospects shows the future for the farm system.

I'm ready to compete in 2022, if the right moves are made, but if the Cubs fall short in 2022, I want to be able to easily try to compete in 2023 without having to make as many drastic moves.

All I can say is that I'm excited for the Cubs future, and you should be too.

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