The Chicago Cubs can’t seem to settle on where to put Christopher Morel.
For most of the offseason the team has said that Morel would get the majority of his work at first base as the Cubs try to find a fit for his bat and his glove.
Now? Just a couple of days into camp and even before position players report to Mesa, Ariz., new Cubs manager Craig Counsell has told reporters that Morel will get the bulk of his time, at least early in Spring Training, at third base.
“Let’s give him some consistency at third base and see where we’re at, roster-wise, at some point in camp and then go forward from there,” Counsell said on Saturday.
Nothing is set in stone, of course. But the Cubs’ desire to move Morel from third to first had nothing to do with his bat.
The Chicago Cubs outfielder is two years into his MLB career and in spite of his raw power — he hit 26 home runs in 429 plate appearances last season — he doesn’t have a firm position with the Cubs.
He’s probably best suited for center field, but that position is likely to go to either Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect and one of the best young defensive outfielders in the minors, or to Cody Bellinger, if the Cubs ever re-sign him.
Third base and first base are, theoretically, still open. But Morel’s glove at third base was a liability in his first two seasons. He had a fielding percentage of .961, his lowest at any position he’s played in the Majors.
The Cubs may have a first baseman in the making in Michael Busch, whom they acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this offseason. Busch can play first base, second base or third base, but his power numbers may be more ideal at first base. He hit 79 home runs in the minors.
Plus, the Cubs haven’t made a move to improve at third base either, even as the best defensive third baseman in free agency, Matt Chapman, languishes without a contract.
Finding Morel a permanent home on the diamond is important as it would free up the designated hitter spot to be used as a “rest” day for everyday players so they could get a day off from the field but still hit. Morel was a DH in 61 of his 107 games last season.
The Cubs hope that won’t be the case in 2024. But they also hope Morel can improve his defense at third. His spot in the lineup may depend upon it.
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