MLB Insider Pegs Chicago Cubs For Biggest Jump in 2023
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The Chicago Cubs are a new look team. The goal during the 2023 MLB season is contention and their acquisitions in MLB free agency this winter highlighted their desire to win.
Notable additions include shortstop Dansby Swanson, starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, Eric Hosmer, and Trey Mancini. It gives the lineup, rotation, and clubhouse as a whole a new look and feel.
In a recent segment, MLB Network's Jon Morosi pegged the Cubs as the team most likely to make the biggest jump in the National League Central. It's an easy pick considering the money spent and the high-profile additions.
Personally, I like the Cubs' chances in the division. The Philadelphia Phillies are a prime example of just "get into the postseason and see what happens." They rode that philosophy all the way to the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros.
In terms of the division, the St. Louis Cardinals are the clear-cut favorite, followed distantly by the Milwaukee Brewers. That being said, Chicago has taken some one year gambles on players that could pay off with huge dividends. Bellinger is one such player that if he can return to his 2019 season form, the sky is the limit for the Cubs.
Additionally, the Cubs rotation is incredibly promising. Marcus Stroman and Taillon leading the charge at the top is a dynamic duo. But even better is the young arms that showed out in 2022 that will play an important role in 2023 such as Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson, and Javier Assad. That type of depth, along with Drew Smyly and potentially Kyle Hendricks, checks off one of the largest boxes for any contender: productive depth.
Considering all the above, Morosi probably isn't far off in his prediction. In the same vein, the Chicago Cubs probably aren't far off in making some noise in the division either.
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