As Opening Day approaches, attention around Major League Baseball shifts toward roster construction, positional battles, and how teams are shaping up for the long season ahead. 

Few teams are drawing as much discussion as the Chicago Cubs, who enter the year with an intriguing blend of established stars, emerging talent, and high-upside newcomers.

For sports fans across the United States, spring training offers the first clear glimpse of how a team’s lineup and pitching staff will look once the regular season begins. Decisions made during this period can influence everything from clubhouse chemistry to expectations surrounding the upcoming campaign.

The Cubs have much of their roster settled already, particularly on the infield and in the starting lineup. Still, a handful of key questions remain, and those answers will help determine how Chicago approaches Opening Day.

The Infield: Locked, Loaded, and Gold Glove-Caliber

The Cubs’ infield stands out as one of the most stable and talented units in the National League. With multiple players coming off strong seasons and a major offseason addition, this group forms the backbone of Chicago’s lineup entering Opening Day.

Nico Hoerner continues to anchor the middle of the infield after delivering his most complete season yet. His defensive excellence and all-around contributions make him one of the most reliable players on the roster. Meanwhile, Michael Busch’s breakout offensive production provides serious power potential from the corner infield.

The biggest offseason move was the addition of Alex Bregman, whose championship experience and consistent two-way play bring another level of stability to third base.

With those pieces firmly in place, the Cubs enter the season with an infield that appears set. This group not only strengthens the lineup but also contributes significantly to the team’s defensive identity.

Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Outfield Picture

The Cubs’ outfield features both star power and intriguing depth questions. At the center of the conversation is Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose dynamic performance last season firmly established him as one of the team’s most exciting young players.

Crow-Armstrong’s combination of power, speed, and elite defense gives Chicago a true difference-maker in center field. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him a cornerstone of the lineup.

Alongside him, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki provide veteran consistency and offensive balance. Together, the trio forms a strong starting outfield capable of contributing across every aspect of the game.

However, the picture behind them remains less settled. Several non-roster invitees continue to compete for the final outfield spot on the bench, creating one of the more intriguing competitions as Opening Day approaches.

Moisés Ballesteros: The Wildcard in the Lineup

Few players generate more intrigue this spring than Moisés Ballesteros. The young prospect enters camp with a legitimate chance to carve out a meaningful role on the Opening Day roster.

Ballesteros impressed during his limited major league appearances last season, demonstrating strong contact skills and an advanced approach at the plate. Those traits have led some analysts to project him as a potential designated hitter option once the regular season begins.

His path to playing time, however, may depend on defensive development. While Ballesteros has experience behind the plate, questions remain about his consistency in controlling the running game and limiting passed balls.

If he proves capable of contributing both offensively and defensively, the Cubs could gain additional lineup flexibility. That versatility could allow the coaching staff to rotate players more effectively across multiple positions.

The Rotation: Strength at the Top, Questions in the Middle

Chicago’s starting rotation enters the season with a blend of proven ability and emerging uncertainty. At the top of the staff, several pitchers provide the foundation for what the Cubs hope will be a competitive pitching unit.

Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga headline the rotation alongside veterans who bring valuable experience to the group. Their presence helps establish stability as the season begins.

However, the middle portion of the rotation presents more questions. Young arms and newer additions must demonstrate consistency against major league lineups over an extended schedule.

Complicating matters further is the anticipated absence of Justin Steele early in the season as he continues to recover from injury.

These pitching dynamics play an important role in shaping expectations around the team. Observers following early-season projections often note how Chicago Cubs lines reflect both the rotation’s top-end talent and the uncertainty surrounding the remaining spots.

The Bullpen Battle: One Spot Remains Up for Grabs

While much of the Cubs’ roster appears settled, the bullpen still features one of the final competitions of spring training. Only a single relief spot remains undecided, creating an intense battle among several candidates.

Pitchers such as Ryan Rolison, Luke Little, Ben Brown, and Javier Assad all enter camp with legitimate cases for inclusion. Each brings a different skill set to the bullpen mix, from power arms to pitchers capable of multiple innings.

MLB narratives point out that performance during spring games will certainly matter, but roster flexibility also plays a role in the decision-making process. Minor-league option status and long-term development plans can influence which pitcher ultimately secures the final spot.

Despite this remaining uncertainty, the Cubs’ core bullpen structure appears largely intact. That stability allows the coaching staff to focus on refining roles rather than rebuilding the entire relief corps.

A Roster Taking Shape for Opening Day

As the regular season approaches, the Chicago Cubs appear closer to finalizing a roster capable of competing across a demanding schedule. The infield provides a strong defensive and offensive core, while the outfield combines established veterans with emerging talent.

Young players such as Moisés Ballesteros add unpredictability, potentially enhancing the lineup’s versatility. Meanwhile, the starting rotation continues to develop its identity as pitchers settle into defined roles.

Even the remaining roster competitions highlight the organization’s growing depth. From bullpen battles to bench positions, the Cubs possess multiple players capable of contributing throughout the season.

For fans following the team closely, the picture coming into focus suggests a club with both stability and upside as Opening Day draws near.

*Content reflects information available as of 2026/03/09; subject to change.*

Baseball lost one of its all-time greats today.

Hall of Fame Second Baseman, Ryne Sandberg, passed away today after a long battle with cancer. 

He was 65.

Ryne Sandberg arrived in Chicago via one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history as the future Hall of Fame arrived with Larry Bowa for Ivan DeJesus.  Sandberg was converted to an infielder, and after playing only six games in the Majors with Philadelphia, he would be converted from Outfield to Third Base (he would then move to Second a year after)

As a rookie, Sandberg collected 172 Hits, and in 1983 he maintained that solid hitting and would win the first of his nine straight Gold Gloves at Second.  "Ryno” would win the National League MVP in 1984 when he batted .314 (his first of what would be five .300 seasons), and he would lead the NL in Runs Scored (114) and Triples (19) and was a Home Run away from 20.  He was also an All-Star for the first time, which began a streak of ten straight.

Sandberg was the heart of the Cubs for over a decade, and while he had moderate power numbers in the first half of his career but he went yard at least 26 times in four straight years (1989-1992), including a National League leading 40 in 1990.  He would retire early in 1994 and came back to play two more seasons before retiring permanently after 1997.

He would accumulate 2,385 Hits with 282 Home Runs and 1,061 Runs Batted In as a Chicago Cub, and he would enter the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends, and family of Ryne Sandberg.

 

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that the Chicago Cubs will induct Sammy Sosa and Derrek Lee to their franchise Hall of Fame this year.

The induction of Sosa is the culmination of two decades of acrimony between Sosa and the Cubs.  Sosa, who was a beloved figure in Chicago in the 90s as he was going deep at an astronomical level saw the tide turn against him when it was believed that he took PEDs.  The last days of his run at Wrigley saw him leave early in the 2004 Season Finale.  The Cubs had stated that Sosa would not be welcomed back to the organization unless an apology occurred, which happened, albeit cryptically last December.

“There were times I did whatever I could to recovery from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games.  I never broke any laws.  But in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.”

Sosa joined the Cubs in 1992 in what turned out to be one of the most lopsided trades in team history.  By the mid-90s, Sosa had at least 35 Home Runs from 1995 to 2004, winning two Home Run Titles (2000 & 2002), two RBI Titles (1997 & 2001) and won the 1998 MVP.  Sosa also won six Silver Sluggers, and as a Cub would compile 545 Home Runs, 1414 RBIs and a .928 OPS.

Derrek Lee played for the Cubs from 2004 to 2010 amassing 179 Home Runs, 1,046 Hits with two All-Star Games.  His best season was in 2005, where he led the National League in Hits (199) and Doubles (50) and was third in MVP voting.  He also won two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers as a Cub.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the impending members of the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jake Arrieta played for four different teams during his career in Major League Baseball, but he is most famously known for his time with the Chicago Cubs. Arrieta started his career with the Baltimore Orioles but struggled to perform consistently, moving back and forth between the minor and major leagues. Over the course of 69 games with the Orioles, Arrieta had an unimpressive 5.46 ERA and 1.472 WHIP.

In 2013, Baltimore traded Arrieta to the Cubs, where he initially played in the minor leagues but finished the year with a 4-2 record and a 3.66 ERA. This was just the start of Arrieta's success with the Cubs.

Arrieta's best year came in 2015, where he led the National League in Wins (22), Games Started (33), Complete Games (4), Shutouts (3), and H/9 (5.9). He also boasted a 1.77 ERA, a 0.865 WHIP, and 236 Strikeouts. Arrieta won the Cy Young award that year and even finished sixth in MVP voting.

 In 2016, Arrieta had another solid season, going 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA and 190 strikeouts. He was also an All-Star for the first and only time. Arrieta won the Silver Slugger award that year and helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series victory in 108 years.

Arrieta played one more season with the Cubs before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, injuries began to take their toll, and his performances declined quickly. He played again for the Cubs and then the Padres before retiring after the 2021 season. Overall, he had a record of 115-93 with 1,433 strikeouts.

A month before making his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies, Dexter Fowler was a United States Olympic Team member who won Bronze at the 2008 Olympics. Called up that September, Fowler was eighth in National League Rookie of the Year voting the following season and was the NL leader in Triples in 2010. Playing with the Rockies until 2013, Fowler was not a star but was a competent everyday player with above-average speed who could steal you a game.

Fowler was traded to Houston in 2014 and subsequently dealt to the Chicago Cubs a year later. He was only there for two seasons, but the second one is what his career is most known for. The year in question was 2016 when Fowler went to his only All-Star Game and helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series in 108 Years. Notably, Fowler made history as the first player to lead off a game by hitting a Home Run.

Fowler left Chicago as a Free Agent and played for the St. Louis Cardinals for four seasons. While declining, he had his two best power years, with 18 Home Runs in 2017 and 19 in 2019. Fowler was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, but a torn ACL held him to 7 Games, and he could not make a comeback.

The Outfielder had 1,306 lifetime Hits.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Chicago Cubs.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in Major League Baseball.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Cubs did not make the playoffs, but there was one new entrant in the top 50.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes:

1. Cap Anson

2. Ernie Banks

3. Ryne Sandberg

4. Ron Santo

5. Billy Williams

 

You can find the entire list here.

The only addition was World Series Champion Pitcher, Kyle Hendricks, who edged in at #48.

We thank you for your continued support for our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

As we are deep into the Baseball Hall of Fame season, one of the inductees is hopeful to get the logo on his plaque changed from the Montreal Expos to the Chicago Cubs.

Andre Dawson, who was inducted into the Hall in 2010, was enshrined with the Expos cap, but stated all along that he wanted to go in as a Cub.  He is still hopeful of changing it to the iconic Cubs “C”, as reported by the Chicago Tribune, and he has sent letters to the chairman of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors in another effort.  Dawson has long since said that he wanted to go in as a Cub, the team he won his only MVP (1987), despite the longer and more successful statistical tenure with Montreal.

The Hall of Fame rarely makes changes to plaques, and as the Cooperstown-based institution has not corresponded with Dawson, it is unlikely that we will see any changes in bronze.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022 revision of our top Chicago Cubs.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Cubs had a poor season, and were unable to make the playoffs.  There were no changes to the Top 50, but we have to acknowledge that we looked at the past year.  

As always, we present our top five, which was not affected by the last season:

1. Cap Anson

2. Ernie Banks

3. Ryne Sandberg

4. Ron Santo

5. Billy Williams

You can find the entire list here.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our pre-2022 revision of our top 50 Chicago Cubs.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National League. 

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

The Cubs 2021 Season put an end to their recent success, and the 2016 World Series seems so long ago.  Chicago traded some of their best players during the summer, some of which are on this list.

As always, we present our top five, though there were no changes, and there are no new additions overall.

1. Cap Anson

2. Ernie Banks

3. Ryne Sandberg

4. Ron Santo

5. Billy Williams

You can find the entire list here.

Anthony Rizzo, who was traded last July to the Yankees, moved up one spot to #31.

Kris Bryant, who was sent to San Francisco last year in July, moved up three to #38.

Pitcher, Jake Arietta who resigned last year, but was released in August, had such a mediocre return, that he dropped two to #49.

It is worth noting that Pitcher, Kyle Hendricks, came close to making our top 50.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

One of the early stars of Chicago baseball was Outfielder Jimmy Ryan, who played for the Cubs back when they were called the White Stockings and when they were the Colts.  Oh, and also when they were the Orphans.  He also was with the Chicago Pirates of the Players’ League.  Simply put, if you went to a professional baseball game in Chicago from 1885 to 1900, you saw Jimmy Ryan play.

Debuting for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929, Larry French was a top knuckleball pitcher of the 1930s.

Technically not eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame as he didn’t play ten years in the Majors, Bill Hutchinson lands on this list based on the strength of three incredible years with the Chicago Colts.

Jimmy Sheckard spent most of his career with either Brooklyn or the Chicago Cubs, and while they were both high-profile teams, Sheckard is one of the most undervalued players in history.

Charlie Root played 27 Games for the St. Louis Brown in 1923, but it was not impressive, as he had a record of 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA.  It was three seasons later before Root made the Majors again, but when he did, he made it count.

Bill Nicholson had a coffee cup with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, but it was with the Chicago Cubs, a team he returned to Majors with in 1939, where he became a star in baseball.

Cy Williams entered Notre Dame, having only played in a handful of baseball games.  He left them as an accomplished player who the Chicago Cubs signed after he finished school. 

Mark Grace is the answer to the question of the trivia question; Who had the most Hits in the 1990s?

Claude Passeau appeared in one game in 1935 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the three innings he had shown nothing that would make you think he would be a future All-Star.

James Leslie “Hippo” Vaughn appeared in two games for the New York Highlanders (later to be the Yankees) in 1908, and after a full year in the minors, he had a promising 1910 campaign with a 13-11 record and an ERA of 1.83.  It wasn’t quite the springboard to greatness, as he struggled over the next three seasons, going back and forth from the minors, and bouncing to the Washington Senators and then the Chicago Cubs.  In the Windy City, he would live up to that potential that New York fans saw in 1910.