5 Cubs on Thin Ice After Missing Postseason 4th Year In A Row

Between season-long slumps and inconsistent hot streaks, who has the most to prove next year?
Dansby Swanson stands on the field during a game against the White Sox in August.
Dansby Swanson stands on the field during a game against the White Sox in August. / Matt Dirksen/GettyImages
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As the MLB Playoffs rumble on, Cubs fans are left only to think about what could have been this year.

What if the offense always clicked like it did after the All-Star break? What if the bullpen never collapsed like it did that night in San Diego?

The Cubs have a roster that should be able to win the division. Their 2024 payroll was the fourth-highest in the league behind the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets, all of whom made the postseason.

The front office has splashed cash on free agent signings in the past few years, but to no avail - the Cubs have still failed to be playoff contenders since 2020 when they were swept by the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card Series.

In an open letter to fans on Oct. 11, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts lamented the team's disappointing collapse and reiterated his age-old promise to get back to winning ways.

"Our baseball operations staff is re-doubling its efforts to build a team that consistently plays in the postseason and delivers the promise of sustained success to Cubs fans," wrote Ricketts.

Whether signing another big star this offseason happens or not, this current Cubs team still has things that it can control.

It's time for these big-money stars and heroes of seasons past to step back up in 2025, or the Cubs could be in a situation more dire than ever.