Chicago Cubs: Three unexpected designated hitters candidates

Chicago Cubs’ David Bote

David Bote has been a bit of an up-and-down performer during his time as a big leaguer, but he took a step forward in 2019 with a 106 wRC+ and an increased walk rate up over 12 percent. Bote has come up in the clutch multiple times already in his short career, most notable was the walk-off grand slam against the Washington Nationals in 2018. Other moments include walking off the Diamondbacks, hitting a game-tying home run against Arizona, hitting a walk-off home run against the Reds, and the list goes on.

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Bote is a player that loves the big moment, and he comes through a lot of the time. You find a place for that in a lineup, regardless of how much they struggle or how bad the slumps are. Bote has gotten better both years since being called up to the big leagues, and like Happ, he was another guy that could have been primed for a breakout year in 2020.

However, Bote has three young children at home, and he may opt to sit out the season to keep his family healthy. Nobody knows who will sit and who won’t at this point, and it’s something to watch leading up to the season. The fact that all the players made their way to Chicago for camp indeed leads you to believe they would all play.

Bote is a lot like Happ in terms of versatility, he saw time at second, third, shortstop, and in the outfield last year. Bote has also played a touch of first base in his career. He may not be as necessary in the field during the shortened year because of Nico Hoerner, and players like Hernan Perez, along with Kipnis.

If Ross still wants to get Bote out there with his bat, then the DH role may be his best fit, but that’s why Ross is the manager, and we are just fans who cheer the team on. His power is budding as well, and if it keeps growing, then he will be an even more useful weapon for the team, whether as a starter or off the bench.

I don’t think Bote being the DH would be completely unexpected, but he’s just not the first name people would think of. He has built a track record with his bat, and the Cubs should be doing everything they can to try and get in the lineup daily.

Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo

This one is the least likely to happen, but if you think about it, you may just be able to convince yourself that it makes sense.

Cubs’ mainstay Anthony Rizzo is one guy to keep an eye on for the season. He’s been a gamer through everything else, but he beat leukemia, and his immune system may not be as strong as an average healthy person. He will make whatever decision he wants, and he should be respected for it.

Happ might be the first choice to replace him at first base if he does decide to sit out. But, if Rizzo plays, and Ross wants to have a lot of power and patience at the DH spot, then Happ would be an excellent choice to slot in there.

Rizzo has played nearly every game the past seven seasons when he’s not injured. He now has a lingering back issue and has hit age 30. He will be 31 in August, and there is a whole lot of mileage on that body.

He has power, he has plate presence, and he is a veteran presence to lead the offense. Rizzo being slotted as the DH gives him some more years on his career potentially, and his body will be less beat down at the end of a season.

Rizzo is the unquestioned leader of the team and having him sit on the bench for half the game as the DH may hurt team chemistry, as you’ll see Rizzo head to the mound at points when a pitcher is starting to struggle, and he can’t do that from the dugout.

Rizzo is a three-time gold glove winner and has a platinum glove to his name as well, so taking him off first base would be a defensive loss. Luckily, anybody can play first base. Kris Bryant, Happ, Bote, and Contreras have all seen time at first base during their careers as Cubs, so the options are out there, but Rizzo is the best one.

Rizzo has another option in his contract for 2021, and they may want to maximize his performance and get as much out of him as they can for the next season and a half, putting as the designated hitter would do that.

Ross trusts Rizzo more than maybe anybody else on the team, so Rizzo will likely slot right in at first base like normal, but if Ross wants to get unconventional like the old skipper, he may think outside the box, and this is one way to go.