I mean, this actually has to be the Cubs most pivotal offseason under Jed Hoyer because entering the offseason he still doesn’t have a playoff appearance under his belt and 2025 is the final year of his current contract. The good news for frustrated Cubs fans is that the team does have the resources to make aggressive moves this offseason. A big chunk of money is coming off the payroll to create flexibility for free agency and the Cubs also have the most top-100 prospects in MLB heading into the 2024-25 offseason.

The Cubs have a league-leading eight players in MLB Pipeline’s updated top-100 prospects list that was released on Thursday. Besides the Boston Red Sox, no other team has more than five players at the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, the Cubs are also tied with the Red Sox and Seattle Mariners for most prospects ranked in the top-50 with four.

8 Cubs in MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 Prospects List

What makes the fan base believe that at least one big trade is going to happen in the offseason if not two is that out of the eight Cubs prospects in the top-100, six of them have already reached Triple-A. Kevin Alcántara was the first to get a cup of coffee in the majors at the very end of the 2024 season, while the team’s top-rated minor leaguer in Matt Shaw is expected to have a role on the 2025 big league club.

Plus, Owen Caissie, James Triantos, Moises Ballesteros and maybe to a lessor extend just because of his injury in 2024, Cade Horton are all projected to be ready to contribute if need-be in 2025 as well.

Especially with the position players, it seems like the Cubs will have to move one or a couple to address their needs on their MLB roster. No playoff appearance in a full season since 2018. It’s been a while and Jed Hoyer has to win in 2025.

Besides the six players at Triple-A who are in the top-100, 2024 first round pick Cam Smith is already getting high praise following his monster pro debut this summer. The 21-year-old third baseman made it up to Double-A after being drafted 14th overall out of Florida State. In his first minor league season, Smith slashed .313/.396/.609, with a 179 wRC+ and hit seven home runs in 32 games.

Young shortstop Jefferson Rojas also cracked the top-100 for the second time in 2024. The 19-year-old struggled following his mini breakout last year, but with a smooth glove at shortstop and elite exit velocities at the dish, Rojas is still a highly-respected prospect.

Top-100 Cubs Prospects
Matt Shaw – No. 22
Owen Caissie – No. 34
Cade Horton – No. 42
Moises Ballesteros – No. 44
James Traintos – No. 55
Kevin Alcántara – No. 67
Cam Smith – No. 73
Jefferson Rojas – No. 100

You can see the full list here.