If this were a perfect world, the 2025 season would mark the opening of the Chicago Cubs' contention window. Less than a month before the playoffs, it seems that the Cubs are a near lock to be playing in October, and with this being the first year of them doing so since 2020, conventional wisdom would suggest that their window is just starting to open. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel had an exercise, however, that suggests the Cubs' contention window may already be closing.
McDaniel ranked the core of every team in baseball, and the Cubs landed at No.