Chicago Cubs: Projecting the team’s Opening Day starting lineup

Barring a late offseason trade, which is still very much in the realm of possibility, here’s how the Cubs could line up on Opening Day in Milwaukee.

The day my wife and I took down our holiday decorations, I replaced the coasters on the coffee table that featured snowmen with ones that showcase big plays from the Cubs‘ 2016 World Series run.

When we looked at houses recently, the one thing on my ‘must-have’ list? A basement I could transform into a living monument to my Cubs fandom. So yeah, I’m ready for baseball to be back. Would I be more excited had the front office made any effort to improve the roster? Obviously. But in spring, hope is eternal and you never know what will come to be.

This year’s camp in Arizona will feel different. For the first time in a half-decade, Joe Maddon won’t be at Sloan Park, putting the Cubs players through drills. Instead, he’ll be 15 minutes across town in Tempe, running camp with the Los Angeles Angels. Former Chicago catcher David Ross will be running the show in Mesa, looking to set the tone for his club – one that faces pretty lackluster expectations given the offseason.

But once Spring Training wraps up and the team heads to Milwaukee to take on the rival Brewers on Opening Day on March 26, it’s go-time and Chicago will have to be ready to show the rest of the National League they’re not to be counted out – regardless of how the offseason transpired.

Chicago Cubs: A loaded infield will return with one goal in mind

At this point, with his grievance still up in the air, I think Kris Bryant will return to the Cubs in 2020. I’m not saying he’ll finish the year with the team, but it looks like he’ll be in the lineup in Milwaukee on Opening Day.

So if you pencil Bryant in at third and, obviously, Anthony Rizzo across the diamond at first base, a position he’s locked up for the Cubs for the better part of a decade, you turn your attention to the middle infield.

Now, we know who’s playing shortstop. 2018 National League MVP runner-up Javier Baez has emerged as a true force in recent years, both with his glove and hit bat. There are few players in the game who can play at the same level with such a dynamic presence on the diamond. One problem, though? It’s hard to say who will form the other half of the Cubs middle infield.

David Bote makes sense as he’s relatively split-neutral in his career and his bat has significant upside. I’d say there’s next to no chance someone like Daniel Descalso starts regularly next year given his performance in 2019 – and I don’t think Robel Garcia or Nico Hoerner open the year with the big league club.

For now, let’s assume Bote rounds out the infield on Opening Day and shift our attention to the outfield.

Chicago Cubs: Can Happ solidify the team’s outfield picture?

In my mind, there’s no chance Albert Almora start in center field on Opening Day. The only two ways I can see it happening? Ian Happ plays terribly this spring, forcing Chicago to turn to Almora or there’s an injury that forces the team’s hand.

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For the last year-plus, Almora, a former first-round pick, has been the worst offensive player in baseball. In 2019, his defense took a step back, as well, which, to that point, had been the feather in his proverbial cap. Given Happ’s late season surge that saw him bring home National League Player of the Week honors in the season’s final days, right now I think he’s got the upper hand.

Jason Heyward will undoubtedly start in right field. Of course, that’s assuming Milwaukee sends right-hander Brandon Woodruff (or another righty) to the mound that day. But there are two points to make when it comes to Heyward.

1. If there’s a lefty on the mound, don’t start him. I know you lose his glove, but the offensive drop-off isn’t to be taken lightly.
2. Never, under any circumstances, bat him in the leadoff spot. Keep those two things in mind and I expect the veteran will have his best offensive season as a Cub.

Last but not least, Kyle Schwarber will handle things in left field. He’s coming off a breakout 38-homer campaign in which he was one of the most valuable offensive players in the entire league down the stretch. If he can carry that over to 2020 and put up that kind of performance over the course of an entire season, Cubs fans might finally see the numbers they’ve yearned for since 2015.

This won’t be a popular opinion, but as the roster is currently constructed, here’s how I’m lining it up on Opening Day. Now, this might not be ideal – but Chicago can’t keep giving away outs at the top of the order.

• 1. Anthony Rizzo 1B / 2. Javier Baez SS / 3. Kris Bryant 3B / 4. Kyle Schwarber LF / 5. Jason Heyward RF / 6. Willson Contreras C / 7. David Bote 2B / 8. Ian Happ CF / 9. Yu Darvish P

There’s a lot that can happen between now and late March. But don’t be surprised if the first lineup card Ross hands to a home plate umpire looks a lot like this come Opening Day.