Chicago Cubs | MLB

To unite generations of fans by building a sustained era of championship baseball, becoming a premier global sports franchise.

Chicago Cubs | MLB SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Chicago Cubs | MLB was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The Chicago Cubs SWOT analysis reveals a franchise at a critical inflection point. Strengths in starting pitching, management, and financial power create a clear window for championship contention. However, this potential is severely hampered by a glaring weakness: a lack of consistent offensive power, coupled with a volatile bullpen. The primary strategic imperative is clear—leverage the winnable NL Central and financial flexibility to acquire an impact bat. Failure to address this offensive gap risks wasting an elite pitching staff and the prime years of key defensive players. The conclusion correctly prioritizes acquiring power, stabilizing the bullpen, and ensuring the talent pipeline can sustain this competitive window. The Cubs must act decisively on these fronts to translate their significant advantages into tangible postseason success and achieve their mission of sustained winning.

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Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To unite generations of fans by building a sustained era of championship baseball, becoming a premier global sports franchise.

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Strengths

PITCHING: Elite rotation depth led by Steele and Imanaga is a huge asset
OWNERSHIP: Ricketts family's willingness to spend on players/facilities
MANAGEMENT: Craig Counsell provides a distinct tactical advantage daily
REVENUE: Top-tier revenue streams from attendance, media, and Wrigleyville
DEFENSE: Elite up-the-middle defense with Swanson and Hoerner saves runs

Weaknesses

OFFENSE: Lack of consistent power production is the team's primary flaw
BULLPEN: High volatility and lack of a shutdown closer creates late risks
PIPELINE: Farm system lacks imminent, high-impact position player talent
CONTRACTS: Several large, long-term deals limit future roster flexibility
CONSISTENCY: Team performance shows wide swings from month to month

Opportunities

DIVISION: The NL Central remains one of MLB's most winnable divisions
TRADE: Possess enough prospect capital to acquire a major impact bat
FREE-AGENCY: Financial might to be a major player for stars like Soto
DEVELOPMENT: Opportunity to unlock power from young players like PCA, Morel
GLOBAL: Imanaga's success can open new doors for Japanese player signing

Threats

COMPETITION: Aggressive spending by teams like the Dodgers raises the bar
INJURIES: Health of key starting pitchers is paramount to season success
REGRESSION: Risk of key players regressing from career-best performances
LUXURY-TAX: Exceeding CBT thresholds has future draft/financial penalties
FAN-EXPECTATIONS: High expectations after hiring Counsell create pressure

Key Priorities

OFFENSE: Acquire and develop a middle-of-the-order power bat immediately
BULLPEN: Solidify the high-leverage relief corps via trade or signing
PIPELINE: Accelerate development of top prospects for near-term impact
EFFICIENCY: Maximize roster value to win now without crippling future

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Chicago Cubs | MLB OKR

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Chicago Cubs OKR plan is a focused and potent blueprint for championship contention. It wisely translates the strategic analysis directly into measurable action, targeting the most critical leverage points: offensive firepower and bullpen stability. The objectives are inspiring, and the key results are specific, outcome-driven, and ambitious. This plan avoids generic goals, instead creating a clear narrative of acquiring elite talent, developing internal assets, and optimizing strategy. By rallying the organization around these precise targets, the Cubs can effectively channel their considerable resources to fix their primary weaknesses and transform from a good team into a truly great one, fully capable of achieving their mission.

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No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To unite generations of fans by building a sustained era of championship baseball, becoming a premier global sports franchise.

IGNITE OFFENSE

Forge a relentless, top-tier scoring machine.

ACQUIRE: Sign or trade for a middle-order bat who achieves a top-15 rank in league-wide OPS next season.
DEVELOP: Increase team home run total by 20% to rank in the top third of MLB through targeted coaching.
ELEVATE: Achieve a team OPS+ of 110 or higher, signifying we are 10% better than the league average.
EXECUTE: Improve team batting average with runners in scoring position by 15% over last season's numbers.

FORTIFY BULLPEN

Build an elite, shutdown high-leverage bullpen corps.

SIGN: Add a free agent reliever who finishes the season with a sub-3.00 ERA and over 25 holds or saves.
MODEL: Reduce inherited runners scored percentage by 30% through improved strategy and personnel usage.
PERFORM: Achieve a top-5 MLB bullpen ERA in the second half of the season, demonstrating elite performance.
PIPELINE: Promote one internal relief prospect who becomes a consistent contributor in middle relief innings.

ACCELERATE TALENT

Create a high-velocity player development pipeline.

PROMOTE: Graduate three prospects to the MLB Top 100 list by mid-season via accelerated development.
IMPACT: Have a rookie player finish in the top 5 in Rookie of the Year voting, showing immediate impact.
INJURY-AI: Decrease minor league pitcher days on the IL by 15% using new AI-driven workload monitoring.
SCOUTING: Sign two of the top 50 ranked international prospects during the next signing period.

WIN THE MARGINS

Dominate the details that decide championships.

DEFENSE: Lead the National League in Defensive Runs Saved, turning batted balls into outs at an elite rate.
BASES: Increase team stolen base success rate to 85% and rank in the top 10 in baserunning value.
ANALYTICS: Implement a new in-game strategy model that contributes to a +5 run differential over the year.
EFFICIENCY: Achieve a roster cost-per-WAR that is 10% more efficient than the average of playoff teams.

METRICS

Postseason Wins
Franchise Valuation Growth %
Total Revenue

VALUES

Tradition
Excellence
Community
Resilience
Innovation

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Chicago Cubs | MLB Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Forbes MLB Valuations & Revenue Reports
Spotrac for contract and payroll data
FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference for player/team statistics
MLB.com, The Athletic, and local Chicago sports news for qualitative analysis
Official Chicago Cubs website for executive and company information

St. Louis Cardinals Milwaukee Brewers New York Yankees Los Angeles Dodgers Boston Red Sox

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To unite generations of fans by building a sustained era of championship baseball, becoming a premier global sports franchise.

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What Went Well

PITCHING: Starting rotation performance ranked among the best in the league
ATTENDANCE: Grew year-over-year, with strong per-capita spending increases
DEFENSE: Team defense remained a top-5 unit by most advanced metrics
INTERNATIONAL: Successful signing of Shota Imanaga validated scouting process
BROADCASTING: Marquee Network saw subscriber growth and increased ad revenue

Not So Well

OFFENSE: Power outage from key players led to prolonged scoring slumps
BULLPEN: Inconsistency in high-leverage situations cost the team multiple wins
BASERUNNING: Below-average metrics on the basepaths limited run creation
DEVELOPMENT: Top hitting prospects in AAA did not take the expected step forward
TRADES: Failure to land an impact bat at the trade deadline proved costly

Learnings

PITCHING: An elite rotation can carry the team, but not without some offense
ROSTER: The lineup is too reliant on contact hitters; a power threat is vital
PIPELINE: Prospect timelines are not linear; cannot bank on immediate impact
MARKET: The trade market for impact bats is incredibly expensive to enter
STRATEGY: A high-contact/defense-first approach has a definitive ceiling

Action Items

ACQUIRE: Make acquiring a top-tier power bat the #1 offseason priority
HIRE: Evaluate and potentially overhaul the minor league hitting program
INVEST: Target and sign at least one proven high-leverage relief pitcher
ANALYZE: Implement a new baserunning analytics program for 2026 season
PROMOTE: Give extended MLB evaluation time to a top performing AAA prospect

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Chicago Cubs | MLB Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Forbes MLB Valuations & Revenue Reports
Spotrac for contract and payroll data
FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference for player/team statistics
MLB.com, The Athletic, and local Chicago sports news for qualitative analysis
Official Chicago Cubs website for executive and company information

Founded: 1876
Market Share: Top 5 MLB market share by revenue
Customer Base: Chicago metro area, national fanbase
Category:
Professional Sports
SIC Code: 7941 Sports Clubs and Promoters
NAICS Code: 711211 Sports Teams and Clubs
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Zip Code: 60613 Chicago, Illinois
Congressional District: IL-5 CHICAGO
Employees: 800

Competitors

St. Louis Cardinals Request Analysis

Milwaukee Brewers Request Analysis

New York Yankees Request Analysis

Los Angeles Dodgers Request Analysis

Boston Red Sox Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Chicago Cubs | MLB Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Forbes MLB Valuations & Revenue Reports
Spotrac for contract and payroll data
FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference for player/team statistics
MLB.com, The Athletic, and local Chicago sports news for qualitative analysis
Official Chicago Cubs website for executive and company information

Problem

Fans' deep desire for a winning team
Need for communal entertainment experiences
Corporate need for high-visibility branding

Solution

Championship-caliber baseball team
Iconic Wrigley Field gameday experience
Multi-platform media and sponsorship assets

Key Metrics

Wins / Postseason Appearances
Ticket Sales / Attendance
Media Viewership / Engagement
Merchandise & Concession Revenue

Unique

The historic, landmark status of Wrigley Field
A 100+ year-old, iconic, global brand
A deeply loyal, multi-generational fanbase

Advantage

Massive revenue from a dedicated TV network
Real estate holdings around the ballpark
Top 3 US media market location

Channels

Marquee Sports Network (TV)
MLB.tv (Streaming)
670 The Score (Radio)
Social Media & Digital Platforms

Customer Segments

Season Ticket Holders (B2C/B2B)
Single-Game Ticket Buyers (B2C)
Corporate Sponsors (B2B)
Media Distributors (B2B)

Costs

MLB Player Salaries (Largest expense)
Baseball & Business Operations Staff
Wrigley Field Operations & Maintenance
Player Development & Scouting

Chicago Cubs | MLB Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025

The Chicago Cubs organization delivers more than just baseball; it offers a championship-caliber product within the iconic, unforgettable setting of Wrigley Field. This connects a global, generational fanbase to a historic brand, creating value through the relentless pursuit of titles, a world-class fan experience, and deep community engagement, ensuring every game is a cherished memory.

The pursuit of a World Series Championship.

The unforgettable Wrigley Field experience.

Connecting with a historic, iconic brand.

Before State

Enduring frustrating, losing seasons
Feeling disconnected from the team
Hoping 'next year' is finally the year

After State

Experiencing meaningful, winning baseball
Feeling pride in a championship contender
Creating lifelong memories at Wrigley Field

Negative Impacts

Apathy towards the team's performance
Wasted emotional and financial investment
Missed shared moments with family/friends

Positive Outcomes

Increased fan engagement and city pride
Strengthened community and family bonds
Justified investment in tickets/merch

Key Metrics

Customer Retention Rates - 90%+ season ticket holder renewal

Net Promoter Score (NPS) - Varies with team performance, est. 50-60

User Growth Rate - Stable, tied to national brand appeal

Customer Feedback/Reviews - N/A for G2, strong social media engagement

Repeat Purchase Rates) - High for merchandise and single-game tickets

Requirements

A consistently competitive on-field product
A modern and enjoyable ballpark experience
Authentic connection with players/brand

Why Chicago Cubs | MLB

Smart free agent signings & trades
Drafting and developing young talent
Investing in Wrigley Field amenities

Chicago Cubs | MLB Competitive Advantage

The magic of historic Wrigley Field
A massive, passionate, generational fan base
Financial resources of a top-market team

Proof Points

2016 World Series Championship win
Top 5 in MLB attendance consistently
$1B renovation of Wrigley Field campus

Chicago Cubs | MLB Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Forbes MLB Valuations & Revenue Reports
Spotrac for contract and payroll data
FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference for player/team statistics
MLB.com, The Athletic, and local Chicago sports news for qualitative analysis
Official Chicago Cubs website for executive and company information

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Build a perennial top-5 farm system via draft & international.

Integrate data into all baseball & business operations.

Enhance the year-round destination fan experience.

Maintain top-tier payroll with strategic, not emotional, spending.

What You Do

Provide world-class baseball entertainment

Target Market

Generations of fans in Chicago & globally

Differentiation

Iconic Wrigley Field experience
Deeply rooted historical brand
Strong community connection

Revenue Streams

Media rights
Ticket sales & concessions
Sponsorships
Merchandise

Chicago Cubs | MLB Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Forbes MLB Valuations & Revenue Reports
Spotrac for contract and payroll data
FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference for player/team statistics
MLB.com, The Athletic, and local Chicago sports news for qualitative analysis
Official Chicago Cubs website for executive and company information

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Functional: Baseball & Business Ops
Supply Chain: Player dev. pipeline, scouting networks
Tech Patents: Proprietary analytics models
Website: https://www.mlb.com/cubs

Top Clients

Board Members

Chicago Cubs | MLB Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

VERY LOW: MLB operates as a cartel with a fixed number of franchises. Expansion is rare, costly ($2B+), and controlled by owners.

Supplier Power

HIGH: The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) is a powerful union that collectively bargains player salaries, benefits, and working conditions.

Buyer Power

MODERATE: While fans are loyal, they have numerous entertainment choices in Chicago. Corporate sponsors have leverage in negotiations.

Threat of Substitution

HIGH: Fans can substitute with other sports (Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks), streaming services, concerts, or other leisure activities.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Intense rivalry within NL Central (Cardinals, Brewers) and with other large-market teams (Dodgers, Yankees) for players and titles.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Chicago Cubs AI SWOT Analysis highlights a significant opportunity to create a sustainable competitive advantage. The organization possesses the foundational strengths of capital and data but is hampered by challenges in talent acquisition and cultural integration. The strategic imperative is to shift AI from a theoretical tool to a practical, on-field weapon. The conclusion correctly focuses on the highest-leverage applications: optimizing player development, revolutionizing scouting to find hidden gems, and implementing predictive injury prevention. By embedding AI into these core baseball operations, the Cubs can close the gap with industry leaders and build a more efficient, resilient, and intelligent organization. This proactive AI strategy is not just an enhancement but a necessity to achieve their vision of sustained championship contention in the modern MLB.

St. Louis Cardinals Milwaukee Brewers New York Yankees Los Angeles Dodgers Boston Red Sox

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To unite generations of fans by building a sustained era of championship baseball, becoming a premier global sports franchise.

Strengths

DATA: Access to immense proprietary Statcast and biomechanical data sets
RESOURCES: Financial ability to invest in top-tier AI talent and tech
INFRASTRUCTURE: Modern facilities in Chicago and Arizona for tech testing
LEADERSHIP: Analytically inclined front office open to new technologies
BRAND: Strong brand can attract tech talent looking to work in sports

Weaknesses

INTEGRATION: Difficulty translating AI insights into on-field decisions
TALENT: Fierce competition for elite data scientists from tech giants
CULTURE: Overcoming traditional scouting and coaching methodologies
VALIDATION: Long feedback loops to validate if AI models actually work
BIAS: Risk of models overweighting certain player types or metrics

Opportunities

SCOUTING: AI models to identify undervalued amateur and pro players globally
DEVELOPMENT: AI-driven personalized training to optimize player performance
INJURY-PREVENTION: Predictive analytics on fatigue to reduce player injuries
GAME-STRATEGY: Real-time AI recommendations for pitching and defensive shifts
BUSINESS: AI to optimize ticket pricing, concessions, and fan engagement

Threats

COMPETITION: Rivals like Dodgers/Rays are years ahead in AI application
SECURITY: Protecting proprietary algorithms and data from cyber threats
ADOPTION: Players or coaches resisting AI-driven strategy and changes
OBSOLESCENCE: Rapidly changing AI technology requires constant investment
ETHICS: Potential for misuse of player biometric and personal data

Key Priorities

DEVELOPMENT: Use AI to create personalized player development programs
SCOUTING: Deploy AI models to identify high-upside, undervalued talent
INJURIES: Implement AI-driven workload management to predict and prevent
STRATEGY: Integrate real-time AI insights into in-game decision-making

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Chicago Cubs | MLB Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Forbes MLB Valuations & Revenue Reports
Spotrac for contract and payroll data
FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference for player/team statistics
MLB.com, The Athletic, and local Chicago sports news for qualitative analysis
Official Chicago Cubs website for executive and company information

Profit: Est. $70-80 million (EBITDA)

Market Cap: Forbes Valuation: $4.1 Billion

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Not publicly available

Debt: Significant debt from renovations

ROI Impact: Franchise value growth focus

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

The Cubs' Iconic Index reflects a Market Leader with high societal ambition but moderate achievability due to significant offensive weaknesses. The OKRs are strong and directly address these gaps. While financial and brand strengths provide a high floor, the franchise's growth multiplier is limited by intense competition and the challenge of translating resources into consistent on-field dominance. The core strategy is sound, but execution on talent development and acquisition is the critical variable.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 70.0 Risk: 73.3

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

Acquire a premier middle-of-the-order power bat.

Accelerate high-impact prospect graduation to the MLB level.

Fully integrate AI into player development and injury prevention.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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