Chicago Cubs: Who will handle second base this season?

(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
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Chicago Cubs
Kris Bryant / Javier Baez / David Bote / Anthony Rizzo / Chicago Cubs (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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.

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