Cubs: Three questions the team must answer when play resumes

The Chicago Cubs were addressing many concerns when their season went on hiatus. What are some of the key questions that still need to be answered?

If you asked him, Chicago Cubs rookie manager David Ross would most likely not choose to have to repeat his very first days on the job; even though that is exactly what it will feel like if, and, or when MLB finally returns to the ballpark for big-league competition.

Ross may have thought he was out of the dog-house after wading through hordes of Chicago Cubs team-related questions as spring training began, but the prolonged time away means Ross will have to endure a ‘second’ first day on the job. Here are three questions Ross and the team must answer when play resumes.

Who will fill the universal designated hitter role for the Cubs?

In 1973, the American League adopted the universal designated hitter rule. The National League has never adopted this particular rule but has been talking about bringing it on as early as 2022.

Now with a shortened season, the National League teams according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman will be allowed to use a DH in their lineup. Who will the Cubs elect to the DH? Or will there be several candidates’ available to work as the Cubs DH?

Most writers and fans have already baptized Cubs outfielder, Kyle Schwarber as the right guy for this job but I’m not so sure Cubs fans.

Schwarber, of course, is a maverick with the bat in his hands and draws fear from owners to managers alike when steps up to the plate to face the opposition; but what I’ve been most impressed with, is how well Schwarber has performed in the outfield the past couple seasons. At one point, Schwarber was the best defender in MLB by stats.

We’ve seen some dramatic changes in how Schwarber’s defense has become a staple for the Cubs. No longer is Schwarber the expendable outfielder; he has become an anchor of sorts for the Cubs outfield as a whole. Now might not be the right time to experiment in the outfield.

A much more viable option is Cubs new outfielder, Steven Souza Jr., who shut up plenty of critics during spring training (including yours truly as I openly apologized – right here) the way Souza lit up pitchers with his bat.  Souza can be an extremely powerful tool against left-handed pitchers and combined with his right-handed power, we’re looking at a smart, viable option for the Cubs’ new DH.

In 10 games over spring training, Souza had six hits, three runs, two RBIs, and three walks culminating in a .273 BA, .360 OBP, .364 SLG and a .724 OPS all while in recovery mode from last season’s injuries. If Souza can do this in recovery, imagine his impact during the regular season at full-strength?

The Cubs will have to answer this open question as soon as a start date is on the books. There are more questions though, as the team will need to re-evaluate who will finally be named to fill the leadoff hitter role when the season returns.

Chicago Cubs: Is Hoerner ready to go solo at second base?

Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner is a fan favorite for sure but we all know how fast that love affair can go south if Hoerner begins missing balls coming his way at second base.

What other options do the Cubs have?

There are a lot of utility players foaming at the mouth to get a crack at second base if Hoerner stumbles. Cubs utility players like David Bote, Jason Kipnis, Daniel Descalso, and even Ian Happ would love to be the full-time answer on second but other than Hoerner, no one is really a dedicated second baseman.

With an expanded roster for the upcoming ‘short’ season of 82 games or so, the Cubs may want to bring utility second baseman Jason Kipnis up from Triple-A and give the young Hoerner some veteran help in the infield.

While Kipnis is famous for chasing loose balls around second base, you won’t find a more dedicated replacement that cares about his performance than Kipnis. While his slugger days may be behind him with a .273 SLG in spring training, Kipnis has no fear of chasing down anything around second base. For some reason, I just trust that Kipnis can get the job done if Hoerner falters. Kipnis should be the first name on an expanded roster.

Daniel Descalso would not be my choice for a backup to Hoerner as he has not been that impressive in any of his appearances to date. Whether it be offense or defense, the only reason Descalso isn’t gone is that no one is looking to pick him up and he’s still got a contractual obligation to the team.

Desclaso’s .160 BA over spring training is laughable and yet close to Descalso’s regular average. Descalso is simply not a reliable option for a Hoerner backup. I’m not sure if Ross has an option to send Descalso down; but if he does, I would certainly exercise the right and bring up Kipnis.

While the season is still hanging in the air like an NBA jump ball between players and owners, MLB is still sitting in the bleachers with no guarantee to return yet while the ivy in Wrigley Field gets greener by the day.