This offseason provides plenty of excitement heading into the new season. Two areas of this Chicago Cubs team have caught my attention early. With the addition of Kyle Tucker, it seems Seiya Suzuki has been pushed into the permanent DH role. I can’t say that decision has sat well with Suzuki. The second storyline is at the hot corner. Matt Shaw is currently slated to start as the team’s third baseman. Missing out on Alex Bregman raises questions about the team’s confidence in their top prospect.
Hot Corner
I’ve been a strong advocate for Matt Shaw as the Cubs’ third baseman this year. I never wanted the Cubs to acquire Alex Bregman. It’s not because he wouldn’t be a valuable addition. I’m hesitant to make such a big financial commitment without securing Kyle Tucker’s extension first. Many fans see Shaw as a better fit for second base. Throughout the offseason, some fans strongly wished for Bregman to join Chicago. They thought this move could allow Shaw to shift to second. However, that would have necessitated trading Nico Hoerner, which I was against. I believe Nico should stay at second with Swanson. Together, they form one of the best defensive pairs up the middle in baseball. So why am I closely watching this situation in early spring training? With the Cubs’ interest in Bregman, one has to question the organization’s confidence in Shaw. Is he the solution? The Cubs have struggled at this position in recent years. Offensively, Shaw has all the tools and has excelled at every level of the minors. Last season, he started in Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies. He played 86 games there before moving up to Iowa for 35 games. He combined for 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, batting .284 with an .867 OPS. In 64 games at third base last year, he committed five errors in 142 chances, boasting a .944 fielding percentage. By comparison, Shaw’s minor league stats at third are similar to Christopher Morel’s statistics. Morel committed nine errors in 168 chances over 74 games for the Cubs last year. Isaac Paredes had nine errors in 128 chances over 50 games for a .930 fielding percentage.
I hope Shaw secures the third base job by the end of spring training. He deserves the chance to prove himself at the major league level. The Cubs also have Jon Berti in camp, along with Gage Workman and Vidal Brujan. It will be interesting to see if Shaw can distinguish himself from the competition at third. Two scenarios could unfold for Shaw this spring. His day-to-day oblique issue could persist, setting him back. In that case, he may start the year in Triple-A for more game reps. Starting in Triple-A could be an option for several reasons, but his early camp injury has me concerned. Alternatively, if he starts strong with the bat. He plays solid defense. Craig Counsell might confidently pencil him into the Opening Day lineup. Shaw is a Massachusetts native and an avid Dustin Pedroia fan. He could potentially make a similar impact for the Cubs. A lasting influence like Pedroia had with the Red Sox would be remarkable.
Will Seiya Struggle with a Limited Role?
Comparing Seiya Suzuki to Ian Happ, Peter Crow-Armstrong, and newly added Kyle Tucker, it’s evident Suzuki isn’t a standout defender. This year’s plan positions Suzuki primarily as the Cubs’ DH. In a recent interview on Marquee Sports Network, Suzuki emphasized his commitment. He stated that he gives his all whether playing DH or in the field. I’m a staunch supporter of Suzuki and was hoping for a career year from him last season. However, I’m concerned that not being in the field regularly might pose personal challenges for him. His desire to be a well-rounded player could affect his productivity this year. I hope to see him start spring training on a high note. Perhaps the DH role will help maintain his health throughout the season. I see three possible outcomes: In the best-case scenario, he focuses on improving his defensive skills. He excels at the plate. He fully embraces his role as DH. Alternatively, he might become disheartened. He might struggle defensively in the spring and start slowly. It could open opportunities for younger prospects to steal playing time if he continues to struggle in this new role. Third, and perhaps the most disappointing option for me, is that he starts slowly this spring. If he realizes he needs regular field time to stay engaged in the game, he might request a trade. Given the trade rumors following Tucker’s acquisition, I would have hated to see Suzuki go. If he had been traded to the Seattle Mariners, I might have reluctantly accepted it. Including another prospect, like Logan Gilbert, would have made the trade more palatable. However, if he starts slowly and becomes unhappy, his trade value could diminish—a scenario I find unfavorable.
Wrap-Up
This Cubs’ spring training offers plenty to watch. There are new additions to the bullpen, Kyle Tucker’s debut, Justin Steele’s potential bounce-back, and questions about Shota’s sophomore slump. Today, however, my top two storylines are Matt Shaw and Seiya Suzuki. For Shaw, my gut feeling is he’ll perform well initially. However, he may struggle with an oblique injury late in spring training. This could send him to Iowa to start the season. Veteran Jon Berti could then become the Cubs’ best option at third temporarily. Shaw’s return to form in Iowa is fueled by a chip on his shoulder. He could return to the Cubs and make a significant offensive impact early. Shaw can settle in as a reliable contributor all year. He may surprise fans with his defensive prowess. Shaw can solidify his role as the long-term third baseman.
I’m less optimistic about Suzuki’s prospects. I fear he views the DH role as a demotion. This perspective could adversely affect his performance at the plate. It could also harm his commitment to the team. I hope to be proven wrong. I’m a big fan of Suzuki. However, I ultimately see him being traded this year for a starting pitcher. This move could pave the way for prospects like Owen Caissie. It could also allow Kevin Alcantara to make their mark in the majors.
Ultimately, this season promises excitement for Cubs fans. With spring training games around the corner, it’s safe to say baseball season is upon us once again!
