Chicago Cubs: Top candidates to serve as the team’s designated hitter

Chicago Cubs: Could Bryant regain his MVP form as a designated hitter?

Somehow, to a great many Chicago Cubs fans, Kris Bryant is a disappointment. He’s soft, injury-prone and overrated – despite a 2015 NL Rookie of the Year showing followed by an MVP, World Series-winning 2016 campaign. Ah, to be an entitled Cubs fan in the post-title era.

Sure, Bryant has battled injuries the last few years off and on. But make no mistake, we’re talking about one of the best pure hitters in the game. If health is your big knock against him, then transitioning him to serve as the Cubs’ DH in 2020 could be a solution.

Coming off a productive 2019 campaign, Bryant could put up some monster numbers if he stays on the field on a daily basis. After working his way back from a 2018 shoulder injury that sapped him of all power and some minor bugs last year, he appears to be 100 percent healthy and ready to go.

Moving him off third would also open up a spot for David Bote who would provide some more pop in the Cubs lineup on a daily basis. He could also theoretically handle the duties at second (he’s my personal choice there) – but either way, I think getting Bote in there as more than just a bench player is key to the team’s long-term success.