Chicago Cubs: Here’s my verdict for second base
Do it by committee.
Conveniently, Hoerner is a lot better facing lefties and Bote is significantly better facing righties.
Hoerner earned a second look at second base in 2020 with his production in 2019. He looked like a plus fielder at shortstop last season so he should be able to carry that over to second base. He has a higher ceiling than the alternatives, but at 22 years old he isn’t ready to be a 182 game second baseman quite yet.
Enter Bote: suitably reliable both with the bat and the glove and able to give you some production especially against right-handed pitching.
Ideally, this position will one day belong to Hoerner. Until then, break him in slowly with a platoon arrangement with Bote. This should give Chicago a much stronger showing from second base this year than we saw last season.