To put it mildly, the Chicago Cubs’ 2024 season has not met expectations.
Fans were optimistic about the Cubs’ chances for a National League Central title. They signed manager Craig Counsell from the rival Milwaukee Brewers, re-signed star outfielder Cody Bellinger, and added Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga on a four-year deal.
Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as planned. The Cubs will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, and there’s plenty of blame to share for their struggles.
Third base has been a significant issue for the Cubs this season. They started with hopes that Christopher Morel could take on the position, despite not having a strong background as a third baseman. Then they traded Morel for former Tampa Bay Rays player Isaac Paredes, who has not performed at a high level.
Chicago host Dan Bernstein from 670 The Score suggested that the solution to the Cubs’ third base problems was evident last winter. He stated that the Cubs’ failure to sign current San Francisco Giants star Matt Chapman might have cost them a playoff spot.
“The Cubs are going to finish a star player out of the playoffs,” Bernstein remarked. “Matt Chapman was right there.”
He elaborated that the Cubs are likely to end the season five or six wins short of a playoff berth, while a player like Chapman could have contributed that same number of wins throughout the season. Currently, Chapman has a wins above replacement (WAR) of 6.8, according to Baseball Reference.
Chapman, a four-time Gold Glove winner, is enjoying his best season since his 2019 All-Star appearance after joining the Giants. Earlier this month, he signed a six-year, $151 million extension to stay in San Francisco long-term.
It’s important to note that Chapman’s value wasn’t at its highest when he was signed by the Giants; he struggled as one of the league’s worst hitters during the second half of the previous season with the Toronto Blue Jays and faced benching in key situations.
Regardless, Chapman is no longer an option, and the Cubs are left wondering who their standout player will be in 2025. There may be potential candidates, but it will take next season to determine who will emerge.
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