Former MLB Exec Says Cubs' Division Rival Has Brighter Future
There's plenty of reason for optimism surrounding the Chicago Cubs going forward. They were knocking on the postseason's door after being sellers at the trade deadline the past two seasons.
The Cubs will have multiple offseason decisions to make as they attempt to upgrade their roster into contender status.
However, despite the optimism about this team, one former MLB executive thinks it's actually Chicago's division rival who has the brighter future.
Jim Bowden wrote an article for The Athletic where he ranked teams who didn't make the playoffs this season that are best positioned for 2024.
He had the Cincinnati Reds second on his list and the Cubs seventh.
"The Cubs were in the pennant race until the final weekend of the regular season, thanks to the front-runner for NL Comeback Player of the Year, Cody Bellinger, team leader Dansby Swanson and Cy Young candidate Justin Steele," he wrote. "They have a strong defensive team and are well-positioned to contend again in 2024, but must be prepared to spend this offseason."
If Chicago wants to have their best hitter Cody Bellinger back on the team, ownership will have to open up their checkbooks.
The star slugger is expected to command a monster deal in free agency, something that the organization might not be able to match.
So, why is Bowden much more optimistic about the Reds who finished 2023 one game worse than the Cubs?
"The Reds had the best rookie class of any team this season and have set themselves up to be perennial contenders for the foreseeable future. Their decision at the trade deadline to stand pat and not add veteran starting pitching might have cost them a playoff berth. Still, it positioned them nicely for 2024, as their young rotation, led by Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips, received invaluable experience in the pennant race," he wrote.
In fact, Bowden is so confident in Cincinnati he has already made a bold claim heading into next season.
"I’m already picking them to win the NL Central in 2024," he proclaimed.
With the Milwaukee Brewers finishing the year as one of the National League's best team, the high outlook for the Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals likely contending next season, this division will be a dogfight to win.
It puts that much more pressure on ownership and the front office to get this offseason right if they truly want to become contenders.
