The Chicago Cubs kicked off the off-season with bold plans in mind. After a groundbreaking trade deal for star outfielder Kyle Tucker, they had their eyes set on Alex Bregman. It was all to solidify their position as the leading contenders in the NL Central division.

But baseball rarely follows the script.

Bregman chose Boston, leaving the Cubs scrambling for answers. And now, an unexpected challenger is lurking: The Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds might not have been the first team on everyone’s radar, but they may have been the smartest. A blend of exciting young talent, strategic acquisitions, and a game-changing manager in Terry Francona has positioned them as a legitimate threat.

While much of the off-season chatter revolved around Milwaukee’s ability to defend its division crown and Chicago’s aggressive moves, Cincinnati quietly built something dangerous.

“I think the team for me is the Reds,” said MLB insider Harold Reynolds on a recent MLB Hot Stove episode when asked about the favorites in the NL Central division. “I know we’re talking a lot about the Cubs and we’re talking about the Brewers. The talent will be the Reds. I think they got better. I think they’re younger. They’re gonna continue. And I think Terry Francona is a game-changer.”

Consider Reds core, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer form one of the most dynamic young infields. De La Cruz particularly stands out as someone who dazzles with speed and hidden strength on the field. Cincinnati’s offense is impressively versatile, focusing on a combination of contact-hitting, strength, speed, and power that could really challenge the opposing defense constantly. If their batting order continues to improve in 2025, they could prove to be quite a threat to pitching staff members across the NL Central division.

Pitching remains a key question, but the Reds have an arsenal of young arms that could tip the balance. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo show promise as pitchers if they can avoid injuries, meanwhile, Andrew Abbott brings stability.

The bullpen has received upgrades to avoid repeated struggles from last season and ensure performance during crucial late-game situations.

And with such a rising Reds squad, the Cubs should definitely stay cautious, especially after losing on Bregman. Even though they boast a formidable roster, questions remain at third base and in the bullpen.

Chicago still has the star power. Milwaukee still has the pedigree. But Cincinnati? They have the momentum. And in baseball, that’s often the most dangerous thing of all.

Did the Cubs do enough?

The Cubs have been aggressive this off-season, making key moves to strengthen their roster, but whether they’ve done enough to dominate the NL Central remains uncertain.

Well, they created quite an impact by adding Shota Imanaga to strengthen the pitching lineup alongside Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon for a starting rotation group. Offensively, the Cubs managed to keep Cody Bellinger for a while but unfortunately lost him to the Yankees which left a noticeable gap in their lineup.

Despite these upgrades, Chicago does have noticeable flaws.

Trading Christopher Morel to the Rays puts the Cubs in a bind, as they now have uncertainty at the base without a standout solution and Nick Madrigal as one of the replacements from within the teams’ roster pool. Although the Cubs’ pitching rotation shows promise for improvement, it still lacks a standout ace player. Tbh, this could impact their competitiveness in the division. Don’t you think?

Another concern is their bullpen situation as the Cubs currently do not have an established closer for handling high-pressure game situations. However, Tanner Scott should bolster their late-game relief efforts.

In the end, with the Reds improving under Terry Francona and the Brewers still a factor despite key departures, the Cubs may need to make mid-season additions to truly cement their place atop the division. Thoughts?