The Chicago Cubs’ disappointing season is nearing its end, and many fans might not be too sad about it.
This year has been one of the worst for the Cubs, especially given the high expectations they had at the start. If they perform similarly in 2025, significant changes could be on the horizon for the coaching staff, front office, and players.
Frankly, that might already be necessary given their lack of success.
This team has clearly struggled to compete with the top National League teams, which is concerning. They’ll face several challenges in the offseason, particularly regarding potential acquisitions and which players to let go.
Zach Pressnell from FanSided highlighted three current players unlikely to return in 2025, naming fan favorite Patrick Wisdom among them.
He stated, “The era of the Cubs settling for below-average performance is over. They need impactful hitters… Unfortunately, veteran Patrick Wisdom no longer fits that mold. He had at least 20 home runs in each of his first three full seasons, but this year, he might not reach double digits. Currently, he’s hitting .178/.246/.408 in under 100 games.”
Once an elite power hitter, Wisdom is having a forgettable year. His current stats show a slash line of .174/.241/.400 and an OPS+ of 77, with only eight home runs—far below the 23 he hit each of the last three seasons.
While he always had some weaknesses in both hitting and fielding, his power made it easier to overlook them. Wisdom has been on a one-year, $2.73 million contract, which seemed reasonable for his previous production.
However, given his performance in 2024, that amount now appears too high.
The Cubs need to focus on enhancing their lineup this offseason. If a player isn’t adding value to the team, there’s little reason to keep them, regardless of their popularity among fans. That may well apply to Wisdom.
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