Chicago Cubs Nico Hoerner (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Beginning in 2021, the Chicago Cubs, as well as the rest of the league, were permitted to carry an extra man on the roster. The revisions to the league’s 25-man roster limit were originally planned to take effect in 2020, but due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the changes were deferred to another year.
In fact, MLB had planned to allow teams to carry 30 players, dwindling to 28 and eventually 26 as the season unfolded. However, the league never reached the final number, with the pandemic wreaking havoc across the league.
Despite Major League Baseball being stuck in a lockout amid Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations between the league and the player’s association, the 26-man is in play for the upcoming season – whenever it begins.
The Chicago Cubs could have a very interesting roster for the 2022 season.
Utilized in 2020, the designated hitter could make a permanent return to the National League, giving a team like the Cubs some flexibility to go out and sign a big bat once the lockout is lifted.
Until then, we are left with a frozen roster.
Here is the projected 26-man roster and their respective ZiPS Projections.