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Chicago Cubs: Schwarber has long been considered a future DH

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For years, fans have been clamoring for the Cubs to trade Kyle Schwarber to an American League club. Trade him for pitching, they say. Trade him for an actual outfielder is the most common line.

Regardless of their insistent bellyaching, that has not happened. Schwarber remains a Cub and is coming off his best single-season performance yet, a 38-homer campaign in which he put together an absolutely monster second-half showing.

Given his proclivity for putting together good at-bats, regardless of whether they end with a walk or a mammoth home run, Schwarber makes a lot of sense as the team’s DH.

He’s definitely improved in left field, but the Cubs could also go with someone like Ian Happ or Steven Souza in left field, as well. Even Bryant could play left, with Bote at third if Schwarber was the designated hitter.

In short, I’d say the Cubs won’t have a day-in, day-out DH in 2020. Rather, they’ll have the same group of guys cycling through the role, depending on who needs a day off, what the matchup is and who’s got the hot hand. But Schwarber will definitely see his share of time in the role.