Chicago Cubs News: Zobrist needs AB’s; Heyward auditioning?

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

With the early struggles of the Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr., should Joe Maddon look to Ben Zobrist to fill the role?

If there’s one thing you can say about the Chicago Cubs first five games, it’s disappointing. But fear not, it’s only five games. While Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr are working to find their stride, Ben Zobrist may already be in his. He’s only struck out one time in 14 at-bats and might warrant a look at leadoff–at least temporarily. He was one of the three up for the job headed into spring.

The Cubs’ Jason Heyward might be auditioning for another team this summer. That is if you believe the “Bryce Harper” hype train. If the Cubs were to sign Harper, what would they decide to do with Heyward? He can opt-out after this season, but will he? He could move to center field, but then we take the job away from Happ or Almora. So what are the Cubs to do with him?

When you look at the Cubs’ offense and their struggles, it’s easy to point the finger at the new hitting coach, Chili Davis. But Davis has only been around a short time, and the Cubs still have to break from the John Mallee way of hitting. This isn’t an easy task, to “reprogram” a hitter. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, either. The Cubs will improve under Davis; it just might take some time.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Maddon needs to find Zobrist AB’s’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Is Heyward auditioning for another team?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘It’s taking some time under Chili Davis to improve’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Pitch mix key for Darvish against Milwaukee’ – Cubbies Crib

‘The hype is real: Ohtani can play’ – MLB.com

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