– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:49 pm
Cubs 2016 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2016 Chicago Cubs predictions? For the first time since 2008 the Chicago Cubs won 97 games and made the postseason. The Cubs will look to make it back for a second year in a row for only the third time in over 100 years.
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The chances look quite good for the Cubs to make back to the postseason as, on paper, the Cubs are the best team in baseball. The Cubs have the reigning NL Cy Young award winner and a budding NL MVP candidate and are just an impressive team overall from top to bottom.
2016 MLB Team Previews – Chicago Cubs
- National League Central -125
- National League +350
- World Series +700
Key Additions:
- Jason Heyward
- John Lackey
- Ben Zobrist
Not only are these significant upgrades, but signing Jason Heyward and John Lackey weakened the St. Louis Cardinals. Lackey strengthens the rotation while Heyward will give the Cubs a boost defensively.
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The hope is sticking Heyward in centerfield will make up for some the deficiencies that Schwarber and Soler posses in the outfield.
Key Losses:
- IF Starlin Castro
The Cubs didn’t lose much this offseason.
Cubs Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- 2B Ben Zobrist
- CF Jason Heyward
- 1B Anthony Rizzo
- 3B Kris Bryant
- LF Kyle Schwarber
- RF Jorge Soler
- C Miguel Montero
- SS Addison Russell
From top to bottom this a rock solid lineup. You have quality players at the top in Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward followed up with some power in the middle and the back end featured talented Addison Russell and the veteran Miguel Montero.
Cubs Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RH Jake Arrieta
- LH Jon Lester
- RH John Lackey
- RH Jason Hammel
- RH Kyle Hendricks
This is a dangerous rotation come postseason time. There aren’t many teams that can match up with Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and John Lackey. That’s a really strong top three.
Plus, throw in Jason Hammel and Kyle Henricks and you have yourself a nice one to five pitching rotation.
Cubs Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Hector Rondon
Hector Rondon will be the closer, but this is a bullpen with a lot of depth.
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The Cubs have Travis Wood and Trevor Cahill that can and will serve as the longmen in the bullpen and can spot start if need be.
Pedro Strop is another impressive arm that will serve as the set up man along with Ryan Cook, Clayton Richard, and Justin Grimm.
Plus, if Rex Brothers can find his form that he had a couple of years ago, this is a strong bullpen from top to bottom.
2016 Chicago Cubs Prediction:
I can’t help but feel that Chicago Cubs sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year is foreshadowing of what is to come for the next handful of years.
I believe that the Cubs will basically own the NL Central for the next five years.
The odds of the Cubs winning the NL Central aren’t great value wise, but I feel it is pretty safe.
I don’t see anybody challenging the Cubs as they are the most complete team on paper. This is a team that doesn’t have many holes. So long as they stay healthy and continue to play in that free easy Joe Maddon style, they’ll be just fine.
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Taking a shot on them winning the World Series or the NL pennant isn’t a bad bet either. Some value in there, but the safe bet – granted without much value – is the Cubs winning the NL Central.
What do you think of our 2016 Chicago Cubs predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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