There’s been a lot of chatter on social media about Christopher Morel’s ability to play third base this season for the Chicago Cubs. In some fans’ eyes, it’s the most concerning question about the Cubs heading into 2024.
Coming off a 2023 season that saw four Cubs play at least 20 games at the hot corner, Morel played just five games at third base. Understandably, fans are concerned about whether or not the 24-year-old can lock down the role full-time.
But is it really that concerning?
In 49 games last season, Morel had a .977 fielding percentage and made just three errors in 130 chances. Let’s say he played most of 2023 in the field rather than in the DH spot. He probably would've committed around 10-12 errors on the season, which is comparable to Patrick Wisdom's error total across 60 games at third base. And compared to the rest of the Cubs in 2023, shortstop Dansby Swanson made 11 errors and Nico Hoerner made nine errors, but both still walked away with Gold Glove awards at the end of the season.
Here's the thing about concerns regarding Morel's defense: he'll make up for fielding deficiencies with his bat. As he's displayed on multiple occasions over the last two seasons, he can change the momentum of a game with just one swing, whether it’s in the early innings or down to the very last out (just ask White Sox fans). Is his glove going to be that big of a liability in 2024? I don't think so.
When identifying concerns for the Cubs entering the 2024 season, it’s not Morel’s ability to play third base. It’s not Morel at all.
Bitter or Smooth Jamo?
If there’s one thing I’m concerned about for the North Siders this season, it’s whether or not Jameson Taillon can bounce back from a subpar 2023 and be the high-caliber pitcher he was signed to be.
In Taillon’s first 14 starts with the Cubs, he posted a 6.93 ERA with a .296 batting average and .870 OPS against. He also gave up 13 home runs in 63.2 innings. Taillon salvaged his rough first half a bit when he held the New York Yankees to one hit and no runs while striking out four batters just before the All-Star break.
The right-hander settled down in the second half of the season by posting a 3.70 ERA in 82.2 innings, lowering his season ERA to 4.84. Props to the Taillon for bouncing back from a forgettable first half, but let’s say he was able to avoid some of those bad starts. If he could erase the nine outings in which he allowed four-plus runs (especially the eight-run slugfest against Toronto), would the Cubs have easily made the playoffs? Possibly.
While you can’t blame the Cubs missing the playoffs on one player, the "what if" regarding Taillon's performance is a compelling thought to ponder. And that brings me to this season. If you’re asking me whose role I'm more concerned about — Morel or Taillon — entering 2024, it’s Taillon by a landslide.
Weighing Cubs Concerns
Morel will probably make his share of mistakes at third base, but will the potential of having 10+ errors be the reason the Cubs miss out on the playoffs? Or will his potential 30-homer, 100-RBI season overshadow that? And let’s say he doesn’t pan out at third. That’s okay, Craig Counsell will just leave him in the DH spot and adjust the defense accordingly.
The Cubs' new skipper could work with a combination of Michael Busch, Nick Madrigal, and Patrick Wisdom to find the best fit. And there's always the possibility of a trade-deadline acquisition. Hell, maybe Jed Hoyer could work out a deal with Matt Chapman. There are several options for the Cubs to fall back on when it comes to third base.
Taillon, on the other hand, doesn’t have much of a safety blanket in 2024. What happens if he repeats last season's first half to kick off 2024? Does he get moved to the bullpen? How does that $68 million contract start to look? I get it, one player doesn’t make or break a season, but several bad outings from a starting pitcher can put a team in a larger hole than a handful of errors at third base.
Who knows, maybe Taillon will bounce back in 2024 and follow Cody Bellinger's lead as another Cub to win NL Comeback Player of the Year, telling me to take my negativity elsewhere in the process. Let’s just hope we see a performance reminiscent of Taillon's second half of 2023 as opposed to the rocky start.
At the end of the day, I’m not worried about Morel making plays at third base in 2024. I won’t be biting my nails and sweating bullets every time a ground ball travels in his direction. My concern is with Taillon because his body of work could very well be the x-factor when it comes to the Cubs' 2024 postseason aspirations.
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