The North Side Notebook

Chicago Cubs analysis, roster breakdowns, and player previews.

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First official Cubs workouts start today.

Here’s how the position-player roster actually stacks up heading into Spring Training — strengths, depth, and the real lineup questions. 👇

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https://t.co/CJYf9sysNh

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@_joebiggins @BearsShowYo Yeah one of the Minnesota games should be road

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@jacobzanolla Ludicrous to criticize any facet of this team. They were absurdly due for a losing effort. Best team in the league by a mile.

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PCA in his last 15 games:
.300/.397/.500//.897
2 HR, 6 BB

Starting to find his groove.

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Cade Horton looked like a fixture in the Cubs’ rotation in 2025, going 11–4 with a 2.67 ERA over 118 IP. Durability is the lone question entering 2026 — but is Horton ready to take the leap and become an ace? #Cubs

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Pete Crow-Armstrong doesn’t impact the game quietly.

A breakout 2025 put him on the map: elite defense, relentless speed, and constant pressure on opposing pitchers. He earned his first Gold Glove and quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic defenders in the league.

The next step is refining the approach — trimming the chase rate and getting on base more consistently — but the foundation is already special. Few players can change a game the way PCA does. #Cubs

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Four straight Gold Gloves in left field. Ian Happ’s defense has been elite year after year, yet it still feels underappreciated.

Where does he rank among the best defensive outfielders in baseball? #Cubs

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New Cubs reliever Phil Maton’s 2025 percentiles really jump off the page.

Does this translate to a reliable high-leverage role in 2026?

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Cade Horton preview 🔥

Horton burst onto the scene in 2025 and quickly looked like a fixture in the Cubs’ rotation. The former first-round pick went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA across 118 IP, ranking 12th among MLB pitchers with 100+ innings.

Horton limited hitters to a .217 batting average against and was one of the Cubs’ most reliable starters down the stretch. Durability remains the key question entering 2026 after injuries sidelined him in the playoffs, but talent-wise, he profiles as one of the highest-upside arms on the staff. #Cubs

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In case you missed it — I broke down the Cubs’ 2026 position player group, from the infield core to the outside depth and lineup balance.

Who’s locked in, who’s trending up, and where the questions remain ⬇️

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https://t.co/CJYf9sysNh

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The upside is obvious, we’ve already seen it. But the warning signs are real, and they showed up late. 2026 will tell us whether Imanaga’s early success was a foundation to build on, or a peak he couldn’t maintain. #Cubs

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Shota Imanaga is coming off of a rough finish to the 2025 season and returns in 2026 on what’s essentially a one-year “prove-it” deal. The question isn’t whether he can succeed — it’s which version of him the Cubs are getting.🧵

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Imanaga’s 2026 player option was declined by both him and the Cubs, but he ultimately accepted a one-year $22.025 million qualifying offer to return to the club this year. It effectively sets up a true prove-it season for both sides.

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Without hesitation, Craig Counsell named Daniel Palencia the Cubs’ closer entering spring training. He’s got the stuff, with a 99.6 mph average fastball in 2025 to back it up. Can Palencia take the next step and become a premier closer in this league? #Cubs

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In 2025, Nico Hoerner finished 2nd in the NL in batting average, led all MLB second basemen in WAR, and won his second Gold Glove.

Top-5 second baseman in baseball? #Cubs

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https://t.co/CJYf9sysNh