The Chicago Cubs and the second base position. They threw a new guy in there, and one that hasn’t played Triple-A. So how’d that go?
The Chicago Cubs threw in a different approach. They got a player that has spent his entire career with one team and a player that never has NEVER reached Triple-A. I have to admit; it wasn’t bad. Jason Kipnis hit .237, but his OPS was .744. Nico Hoerner wasn’t as good; his slash was .222/.312/.259/.571. But they made do.
They appeared in 92 games (Kipnis 44, Hoerner 48) and splitting time among second base. Hoerner filled all around the infield–and outfield (two games), while Kipnis was a designated hitter and a second baseman. It was a match made–not in heaven–but a baseball field.
Kipnis and Hoerner were good, but not great. So do you keep Kipnis based on the 162 game schedule as a free agent? Or do you figure this stretches into next year (COVID-19)? I don’t know what will happen with it. But what I do know is three things to ponder at second base.