REPORTS: The Chicago Cubs Are Holding Off To Make A Move This Off-Season…READ MORE..

The first half of the MLB offseason featured signings, trades, extensions, and surprises as usual. 29 ballclubs have added at least one player on a major-league contract, but the Chicago Cubs have yet to join the party.

The Cubs nearly arrived ahead of schedule last season. After two rebuilding years in 2021 and 2022, they finished 83-79—second in the NL Central and only one game out of a playoff spot. A lot of their key contributors are 30 or younger and they appear to be a team on the rise.

However, they stand to lose some important free agents—most notably outfielder Cody Bellinger. The former MVP led the team in batting average (.307), slugging percentage (.525), home runs (26, tied with Christopher Morel), and OPS+ (133) last year. He is unquestionably the top free-agent position player available this offseason and he remains unsigned. The Cubs have already lost corner infielder Jeimer Candelario, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds. On the pitching side, All-Star starter Marcus Stroman is set to walk away as well.

A team that improved nine games in the standings, climbed above .500, and nearly reached the postseason should normally be expected to add to its roster—not subtract—but they haven’t made a single trade or major-league free-agent signing whatsoever this winter. They did agree to terms with a pair of depth catchers and a reliever on minor-league deals, but those won’t move the needle for a hungry fanbase. They do even less to overcome the loss of Bellinger’s production.

One explanation why they haven’t waded into the waters of free agency yet is that they have several exciting prospects who should contribute in 2024. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks debuted last year. Crow-Armstrong is the game’s best defensive outfield prospect who could contend for a Gold Glove this season. Wicks lacks blow-you-away stuff, but displays good command and a deep repertoire which should be enough to survive as a backend starter at the least.