The 2024 Chicago Cubs season starts as Spring Training gets underway in Arizona this week. While the last year was a letdown, missing the postseason, this year’s team is looking to get over that hurdle to return to October baseball. The talk of the entire off-season was focused on Free Agent Outfield Cody Bellinger and where he would sign, well as of now he remains a free agent like a few other members of Scott Boras’s clients. While the Cubs might not have added a big bat to the lineup, they swung a trade with the Dodgers for Michael Busch, who can play either corner infield spot.
What does the Outfield look like
I wanted Bellinger back and still hope he can be signed to a contract in the next few days, but in the meantime, let’s look at what the Cubs Outfield looks like today. In left field, Ian Happ returns and should get the majority of the playing time this season for the Cubs. In Right Field Seiya Suzuki will continue to man the position at Wrigley for the Cubs. The biggest and most exciting change in my opinion is getting to see a full season of Cubs Top Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong covering the Center field position this season in replace of Bellinger. Pete Crow-Armstong’s defense will make up for anything lost without Bellinger in the outfield. I think Pete Crow-Armstrong will quickly become a fan favorite this season while he flies around the outfield making catch after catch within the Ivy-covered walls. behind these three I expect Mike Tauchman to be the fourth outfielder with Christopher Morel potentially swinging out to a corner outfield spot in a pinch. I will say yesterday’s signing of David Peralta to a minor league deal is intriguing to me, he is older, but depending on how the spring unfolds he could potentially find himself pushing Mike Tauchman for the 4th outfield spot, the veteran is trying to prove to the club he still holds value after playing in over 100 games for the Dodgers last season. I will note that if the Cubs can resign Bellinger swing him over to Right Field (or shift PCA) and shift Suzuki to DH this team will have a stellar defense behind its pitching staff.
A look at the Infield
With or without Bellinger this infield should be set up with Christopher Morel playing every day at third, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner up the middle, and Michael Busch playing first base for the Cubs. I would keep Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom as Bench players. If the Cubs do not give Morel an everyday responsibility in the field they should’ve shipped him away for another starting pitcher this offseason. I love Morel and the energy he brings, the kid is a gamer and will have his share of struggles, but will grow from them and become a better fielder for it cause he wants to improve. He spent the fall and winter playing third in winter ball, the kid wants a full-time role and has put the work in, now let’s see how Craig Counsell intends to utilize him.
Projected Batting order
Below is how if I were Craig Counsell I would roll out my Opening Day Lineup. I would let Mike Tauchman go down the minors and keep David Peralta as long as he shows up in spring training. I think putting Hoerner at the top of the lineup makes the most sense with his speed and ability to get on base to set the table for everyone else. I also like the idea of having Pete Crow-Armstrong batting 9th taking pressure off him but also when he gets on base allowing him to create havoc on the base paths for the top of the order!!
- Nico Hoerner -2B
- Ian Happ- LF
- Dansby Swanson-SS
- Seiya Suzuki-RF
- Michael Busch-1B
- Christopher Morel- 3B
- Yan Gomes-C
- Patrick Wisdom-DH
- Pete Crow-Armstrong- CF
Bench
- Nick Madrigal
- Miguel Amaya
- David Peralta over Mike Tauchman
- Miles Mastrobuoni
Summary
This year with or without Bellinger I am excited to see this team take the field. I expect big things from Hoerner and can see a path to him and Crow-Armstrong with over 30 steals a piece this year. I think Michael Busch will go through a few bumps in the road but I look for him to hit around .255-.260 this year with 20 plus home runs and 65-70 runs batted in. Buckle up Cubs Fans this team should be a lot of fun to watch and should be good enough to compete for the NL Central this year. Good times coming to Wrigley Field this summer!!
