Are the Chicago Cubs neglecting a major weakness on their roster? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs reached the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. A big part of that success was the offensive production from Chicago in the first half of the season.
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The Cubs ranked No. 6 across MLB last season with 4.8 runs per game. In the first half of the season, though, Chicago was atop the runs per game leaderboard almost every single day leading into the All-Star break. It was an offensive outburst that many did not expect, and it appears the front office may be neglecting to replace players that helped contribute to that.
The Cubs offseason so far has produced the additions of left-hander Hoby Milner, right-hander Phil Maton, utilityman Scott Kingery and first baseman Tyler Austin. Those four signings are evident that the focus of the offseason has been to improve the pitching staff and run it back with the same lineup that struggled in the second half of the season.
If the season were to start Monday, the Chicago bench would be the aforementioned Austin, rookie Moises Ballesteros, a backup catcher and likely a fourth outfielder in Kevin Alcantara. That is not a bench unit that can step in and produce if an injury or two were to happen to the everyday starters.
Jed Hoyer. and Co. should move their focus on pitching upgrades and give manager Craig Counsel viable bench options that can help get the Cubs back to the postseason in 2026 and beyond.
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