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The Chicago Cubs should lead the way in pursuing Corbin Burnes
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The Chicago Cubs should lead the way in pursuing Corbin Burnes

THE Chicago Cubs I feel like a team entering a crossroads this offseason.

To go out four consecutive seasons With no playoff wins in Wrigleyville and five of the last six games ending the same way, without even a single playoff win since 2017, it’s time for the same changes to be made in Chicago.

With some of the best players in baseball available in free agency this offseason, there’s no reason why the Cubs wouldn’t be serious contenders for top tier players on the open market.

Although fans probably shouldn’t expect the team to end up with someone like Juan Soto who will sign a deal likely in the $600 million range, it’s absolutely not unfair to expect Chicago to spend a lot of money if Jed Hoyer and the owners want to try to continue to convince the masses that the team really wants to win.

The Cubs have long been considered one of the teams with the best chance of landing the best pitcher in free agency in Orioles former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes.

Being just 30 years old and coming off another fantastic season in his first year in Baltimore, Burnes will likely see a contract that exceeds a total value of $200 million.

Burnes and Chicago are a good fit not just because the Cubs should have money to spend and he is a major asset, but because there is a demonstrated model of success between the Cubs ace and manager. Craig Advisor who made the team the highest-paid manager in league history last winter.

Counsell’s arrival didn’t bring more wins in 2024 than in 2023, however, as the team finished with an 83-79 record for the second straight season. Maybe Counsell needs to bring back his former superstar at the top of the rotation in Burnes. The two men were together for the duration of Burnes’ life. Milwaukee Brewers career and the ace had his best career season in 2021, winning the National League Cy Young Award as well as four consecutive top-ten finishes in voting.

It’s also not that Chicago’s biggest problem has been starting to pitch, far from it in fact.

With a rotation top that includes the most pleasant surprise of 2024 in Shota Imanaga with Justin Steele And Jameson Taillonthe Cubs had an extremely formidable group this season. But adding Burnes would immediately give Chicago arguably the best rotation in all of baseball and allow them to have a chance to win every time one of their stars is out there.

Now it’s time for the Cubs. Fans have waited long enough to see a contestant again. If Chicago even has a chance of adding Burnes, they need to be incredibly aggressive and make it happen.