What to Expect From the Cubs' Offense Following the Loss of Two-Time Silver Slugger Award Winner
The Chicago Cubs boasted one of the most efficient and electric offenses in all of baseball during the 2025 season. The team ended the year fifth in runs scored and sixth in home runs, among several other impressive finishes in offensive statistics. Their high-powered bats carried the team to a 92-win season and a postseason appearance, their first since 2020. However, the team enters 2026 with a glaring hole in the batting order after two-time Silver Slugger Award winner Kyle Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers during free agency this offseason.
In a season in which he earned his fourth consecutive all-star appearance and second career Silver Slugger award, Tucker batted .266 with 133 hits, 73 runs batted in, and 22 home runs in 136 games played. He was a driving force near the top of the Cubs’ lineup. Therefore, his departure raises questions about the team’s offensive firepower this upcoming season. While the Cubs did make some additions to the roster, highlighted by the signing of veteran third baseman Alex Bregman, it is unlikely that any of the new faces in Chicago will be able to fill Tucker’s shoes.
Tucker’s departure is a notable loss, but there is still plenty to be excited about when it comes to the Cubs’ batting lineup. The team has multiple young, growing stars, including 23-year-old center fielderPete Crow-Armstrong, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, and 24-year-old infielderMatt Shaw, who posted strong numbers in his rookie season. The Cubs also have a strong veteran presence in the dugout, with players like Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson, both of whom had a .240 batting average or higher with more than 125 hits last season. Second baseman Nico Hoerner also ranked second in the National League in batting average last year at .297. While arguably the biggest superstar from last year’s Cubs team left Chicago and will be sporting a different jersey this upcoming season, the team retains a very consistent lineup that is more than capable of posting similarly impressive numbers to the 2025 squad. Therefore, Cubs fans should still be optimistic heading into the season.
