2025 Season Recap

It’s been two weeks since the Cubs season came to an end in Milwaukee and about three months since I last put out a blog. I’ll start by addressing the radio silence from your trusted source for Cubs information. A few members of our team quit on me, and between that and the anxiety inducing second half of baseball combined with the complete lack of movement at the deadline, I just didn’t have it in me to write about the team. It was touch and go for a while on whether they’d even make the playoffs.

Now, back to Milwaukee. Game 5 was rough, but to be honest, I had already come to terms with the season being over. The Wild Card round was amazing with an incredible atmosphere at Wrigley, a crushing loss, and an elimination game victory. Then came the Brewers. When the Cubs went down 2–0 after the first two games in Wisconsin, I accepted defeat. I know that sounds like loser mentality, but I was broken. Both games back at Wrigley that they won were incredible, but accepting defeat and mourning the loss after Game 2 made Game 5 sting a little less. Who knows if that makes sense, but it’s my world, so I don’t care.

I'd like to recap the 2025 season in a little bit of a different way by giving out player grades to everyone who recorded a stat this season. Some very unmemorable names in here but mostly very positive grades.

2025 SEASON GRADES

Offense

Overall Grade - B+

5th in total runs, 6th in total bases, 4th in run differential, 3rd in stolen bases

Carson Kelly - B+

Carson Kelly had some ELITE stretches this season and really stepped into the role of everyday catcher when Miguel Amaya went down. He ended with a modest .249/.333/.428 but his 17 homers felt like they always came at the biggest moments.

Michael Busch - A+

Without a doubt, Michael Busch was the PLAYER OF THE YEAR for this Cubs team offensively. He slashed .261/.343/.523, hit 34 bombs, and played in 155 games. But his 4 homers, 1.128 OPS, and 20 total bases helped lead the Cubs to 7 playoff games. He'll be a top 10 first baseman heading into 2026

Nico Hoerner - A+

If I could have 9 Nico Hoerner's I would. All the guy does is GET ON BASE and play gold glove defense. Finished the season hitting .297 with a .345 on base %. He was a 6.1 WAR player which was good for 12th in the MLB just behind Juan Soto and above players like Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Trea Turner, Corbin Carrol, and Fernando Tatis.

Dansby Swanson - B

His glove alone bumps him up a full letter grade. He played in all but 2 games this year and was a 4.5 WAR player. I'm sick of the Dansby hate. He's a good baseball player who's ELITE in the field.

Matt Shaw - B-

Bad, Great, Good, Bad. A season of highs and lows for Matt Shaw. The lack of power was unexpected but then again so was the elite 3rd base play.

Ian Happ - C+

I love Ian Happ for what he's been through here in Chicago. He's just been that steady rock who shows up every year and gives you baseball. Is it All-Star quality ball? No. But is it consistent, yup. You know what you're getting here. My problem is do you want to know what you're getting in 2026 or roll the dice with a high upside guy in Caissie or Alcantara?

Pete Crow-Armstrong - A-

First half of the season he was an MVP. Not so great in the 2nd half and the playoffs. But at the end of the day, I'm taking a 6 WAR player who hits 30+ bombs, steals 30+ bags, plays gold glove defense, and is an absolute spark plug for the team.

Kyle Tucker - B

First half Kyle Tucker made us all finally think we had one of the best players in baseball and there was no way the Ricketts would let this guy walk. 2nd half Kyle Tucker, who battled injuries, makes me just want Owen Caissie playing right field. It was a fun ride though.

Seiya Suzuki - B+

I love Seiya. A little more consistency would be great but 30+ homers and 100 rbis will play.

Justin Turner - C

Look, the veteran leadership was definitely important for the young guys in the playoffs and down the stretch. But I'd rather not waste a roster spot with a guy who's slashing .219/.288/.314 when you have young talent itching to gets some reps.

Reese McGuire - B-

Hot at times, filled in when needed, but just not a reliable everyday catcher. Thanks for hanging out and being part of the team tuggy.

Willi Castro - D

I'll just leave this here...

Jon Berti - Who Cares

Seems like a nice guy, has played a lot of baseball, never want to see him on my team again. Snore fest.

Miguel Amaya - No Grade

Only got 96 at-bats this year due to injuries. I really think he can be our William Contreras if he stays healthy in 2026.

Moisés Ballesteros - B-

Love my big boy. Just gotta find a spot to play him but I can see him hitting .300 with regular at-bats.

Vidal Bruján - Better than Matt Mervis?

Who will be playing oversees first, Mervis or Brujan?

Owen Caissie - B

Give this kid consistent MLB at-bats next year and he's going to be a stud. Just not enough to really judge him on so he lands at a B for me.

Nicky Lopez - Nick Madrigal

I never want to see Nicky Lopez in Chicago again.

Carlos Santana - Why?

Made no sense then, makes no sense now. Thanks for the memories.

Gage Workman - A+ (Spring Training)

Remember that spring training?? This guy was ELITE. But enjoy the Mexican Baseball League bud.

Kevin Alcántara - B

Basically a no grade. Not enough data but I still fully believe in him breaking out at some point.

Pitching

Overall - B

9th in ERA, 11th in batting average against, 2nd in WHIP

Matthew Boyd - A+

Boyd was an all-star, an ace, and really the backbone for this pitching staff. Possibly the best free agent signing in all of baseball in terms of $$ and performance. He finished the year with a 14-8 record and a 3.2 ERA.

Colin Rea - B

Another really solid addition this offseason. Rea went through stretches where he had no problem going out and getting you 7 solid innings of work. Between injuries and poor performance from some guys, Rea ended up playing a bigger role than expected. Finished with a 3.95 ERA

Shota Imanaga - C

A injury-filled disappointing year for Shota who broke out in his first year in the big leagues in 2024. High hopes and expectations led to a big let down. I think he'll figure some things out and get healthy and we'll have nothing to worry about for 2026....although I'm slightly worried.

Jameson Taillon - B

Another guy that stepped up into a bigger role than initially expected. Came off a year where he was giving up a TON of hard contact and runs. And while his ERA was slightly worse this year compared to last, he was another guy that went through some stretches of putting the team on his back. A solid year for big Jamo.

Cade Horton - A+

Your 2025 NL Rookie of the Year! Cade Horton finished the season with a 2.67 ERA and an 11-4 record. Showed filthy stuff and continued to progress as the year went on. A healthy Horton and we're in the NLCS. Can't wait to see what this kid can do in 2026.

Ben Brown - D

Unbelievably disappointing. A guy that has the size and talent but just 0 command. I thought he was going to be the obvious answer at the 4/5 slot in the rotation heading into the season but boy was I wrong. Brown finished with a 5.92 ERA and a -1.6 WAR. Give it one more offseason to "fix" him and then cut bait.

Daniel Palencia - B+

Electric Danny P. Would be an A if he didn't get hurt leading to him struggling a bit. I think we have a legit closer in this 23 year old fireballer. Finished with 22 saves even with missing some time due to injury.

Brad Keller - B

Another fantastic offseason signing. What Brad Keller did for us towards the end of the season was as important as any part of this team.

Caleb Thielbar - A-

Great season from one of the keys to the middle of this bullpen.

Drew Pomeranz - B

A really solid piece. Gave us 50 innings of baseball with a 2.17 ERA. Another guy that stepped up and just did his job.

Ryan Pressly - F

See ya bud. remember when we though Pressly was the answer at closer and then he just blew everything?

Chris Flexen - C+

Gave us a solid 43 innings of work. A positive WAR player.

Javier Assad - No Grade

Get healthy. Should've been on the playoff roster

Porter Hodge - D

Yikes. 6.27 ERA and a negative WAR from a guy who we all thought was either the closer or the set up man for this team. Just a terribly disappointing season.

Ryan Brasier - C-

Eh. Mostly bad, sometimes good.

Justin Steele - Hurt (But feels like a trend)

We NEED a healthy Steele in 2026. The true ace in this rotation and a 1-2 punch with him and Cade Horton could be deadly.

Andrew Kittredge - B+

Actually a fantastic deadline addition. What he did in the playoffs giving you whatever you needed gave him this grade alone.

Julian Merryweather - F

A guy who was derailed by injuries in 2024 but came into 2025 with some hopes only to get DFAd before June.

Taylor Rogers - Great Trade Jed You Moron

The deadline SPLASH that gave us 17 innings with a 5.09 ERA. Nice.

Nate Pearson - F

Jordan Wicks - Glasses

Bum and disappointing. First round pick and a guy who just hasn't shown any signs of progression.

Aaron Civale - Whatever

Gavin Hollowell - Completely Unmemorable

Génesis Cabrera - F

Awful. 8.6 ERA with 9 innings pitched. LOL

Ethan Roberts - ?

Pitched 9 innings so who cares.

Michael Soroka - Great Trade Jed You Moron

Hurt when we traded for him, not good when he was healthy.

Eli Morgan - Dumb

Brooks Kriske - Who

Tom Cosgrove - No really, who?

Front Office

Overall - D

Tom Ricketts continues to be a cheap asshole. They ranked 26th in payroll/revenue and it feels like that probably won't change. They will continue to rely on young home-grown prospects, make a run, and then tear it down and go through full rebuilds. NO BIG MARKET TEAM SHOULD EVER GO THROUGH A FULL TRADITIONAL REBUILD.

Jed and Carter went out and made some great offseason additions in Matt Boyd, Kyle Tucker, Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar, and more. They also swung and missed on a few (Ryan Pressly) but that's bound to happen. The bigger indictment on these two is the complete lack of movement at the deadline. They needed a starting pitcher, there were a few available that made sense, they didn't do anything.

Preseason Predictions:

• Kyle Tucker MVP Race

  • Wrong but right in the first half of the season before injury. There was a real chance this was going to happen for a stretch of the season

• PCA Face of the League

  • This actually kind of happened. And was proven with how much he was still talked about even with the small falloff in performance in the 2nd half. He has the personality and vibe this sport needs.

• Matt Shaw ROTY

  • There was a moment where this was true after he came back up after the brief send down. But then it all fell apart.

• Kevin Alcantara Call Up

  • Well this happened but wasn't a crazy prediction and also didn't have a huge role.

• James Triantos Traded

  • Wrong because nobody was traded at the deadline because Jed and Carter fell asleep at the wheel.

That's a wrap on the 2025 season. Like all that have come before, there were plenty of ups and downs. But we saw a Cubs team that gave us a playoff berth for the first time since 2020 and a playoff series victory for the first time since 2017. We saw the emergence of some young stars in PCA, Cade Horton, Michael Busch, and Daniel Palencia. We saw a peek into the Cubs future with Mo Baller, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara. This was a team that left us excited about next year rather than dreading an offseason of emptiness. We have talent. We have youth. We don't have to reach for reasons to believe. And 2026 is going to be a year where we see the Cubs in the NLCS.

Until Cubs Con,

-Jack Peters

My 2025 Record: 18-15 (33 total Cubs Games)