2023 MLB Futures: Best Bets For Chicago Cubs
Cubs fans knew last season would be tough after their reset in 2021, but perhaps a furious second half in 2022 springs hope for 2023.
Matthew Horner - Feb 22, 2023, 10:39pm EST
Chicago Cubs Futures Bets
The 2023 MLB season begins on March 29 and BetQL is your one-stop shop for daily best bets, expert picks, public data, written analysis and more from the first pitch to the last. Before the season begins, I’m going through all 30 teams, detailing futures to target for every club and touching on some of the most intriguing storylines from around the league.
Three major rule changes will come into play this year, as a pitch timer, shift restrictions and bigger bases will be introduced. The pitch timer helped reduce game length by 25 minutes in the minors last year, shift restrictions increased batting average and decreased strikeouts and bigger bases not only improved player safety, but resulted in more steals and a better product. These changes can and most likely will have major on-field impacts, which makes predicting outcomes even more difficult in 2023.
Let’s take a look at the 2023 Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Futures Bets
The 2023 MLB season begins on March 29 and BetQL is your one-stop shop for daily best bets, expert picks, public data, written analysis and more from the first pitch to the last. Before the season begins, I’m going through all 30 teams, detailing futures to target for every club and touching on some of the most intriguing storylines from around the league.
Three major rule changes will come into play this year, as a pitch timer, shift restrictions and bigger bases will be introduced. The pitch timer helped reduce game length by 25 minutes in the minors last year, shift restrictions increased batting average and decreased strikeouts and bigger bases not only improved player safety, but resulted in more steals and a better product. These changes can and most likely will have major on-field impacts, which makes predicting outcomes even more difficult in 2023.
Let’s take a look at the 2023 Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Roster
Unlike the crosstown White Sox, the Chicago Cubs knew what they were last season. This was a team that was in transition after they sold off most of their star players from the historic 2016 World Series team. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez, among others, were all shipped off somewhere else to jumpstart a rebuild on the North side after years of disappointment after that championship. Last season was always going to be a struggle, but in all fairness, they actually did far better than I think people expected. Finishing with a record of 74-88, the Cubs didn't make the playoffs, but did actually have a positive record over the second half of the season in 2022.
That is in no small part due to some big performances from guys like Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Nico Hoerner. All three of those guys played a big part in accelerating this Cubs rebuild, and they will all be here for the next generation of Cubs baseball. The addition of pitcher Marcus Stroman also locked down their anchor in the starting rotation, while Kyle Hendricks should be back healthy in 2023 to add another great arm to their roster. These are just some of the names from last season that will be back contributing for this upcoming year, but Chicago dipped into their wallets this offseason and brought in some big names to build the foundation for another championship.
Chicago made a major splash in free agency when they signed shortstop Dansby Swanson to a massive seven-year deal. Not only is he an important offensive piece, but taking over shortstop means Hoerner can play everyday at second base. Seven different guys played at least 10 games at that position last year since Nick Madrigal dealt with several injuries.
The Cubs also signed former NL MVP Cody Bellinger to a one-year "prove it" deal. The former All-Star has really struggled over the past few seasons, but hopes a fresh start will rejuvenate his silent bat. If nothing else, Bellinger should also be a steady glove in center field, where five guys played at least 19 games and no man started more than 50 games. The addition of Trey Mancini shores up a DH spot, as the inspirational ball player brings some more offense to an improved lineup.
While all of these guys bring big name bats to the lineup, perhaps overlooked is how good this defense will be in 2023. The outfield will consist of Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki, with the two former both gold-glove award winners and Suzuki well on his way there. The infield will have Tucker Barnhart, who is also a new addition at catcher and a Gold Glove winner himself. Swanson will man shortstop while Horener will cover 2B, two gold-glove caliber forces up the middle. Eric Hosmer, another new addition, will be at first base, while Christopher Morel will be at third. This should be an improved defense.
Chicago Cubs Best Bets
Over 76.5 regular season wins (+110, FanDuel) is a very enticing bet to make right now with all the new additions to the team. That is only a few more wins than they had last season, and they should be able to surpass this number. We didn't even get to their pitching staff very much, but it is one of the best young cores in MLB coming into the year. Justin Steele looks to be even better than his fantastic second half of the season in 2022, and with the addition of Jameson Taillon to a rotation that already features Steele and Stroman, this could be an underrated starting rotation.
At plus money, why not take a shot with the Cubbies going over their win total? Don't be that guy from Back to the Future that wishes he could go back to the beginning of the season and put some money on the Cubs.
