Cubs News: Top three questions surrounding second base

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.

Chicago Cubs: Why doesn’t David Bote get time at second base?

It’s quite simple. Pinch-hitting. He does it better than anyone. David Bote is a lifetime .342 hitter with a 1.076 OPS in 45 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter. Like most right-handers, though? He doesn’t handle left-handers very well (.122/.234/.293). Still, he’s terrific against right-handed pitching.

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Bote will handle other spots while Hoerner gets time at second base in 2021. He had four starts at second base (seven games played) in 2020 and will probably get his chances at second for ’21. Sill, Hoerner will receive the playing time necessary to figure out if he’s qualified for second base.

So if he isn’t, what then? I assume he’ll go down to Triple-A and work on it.  And in time, he’ll come back as a second baseman–or a shortstop? Who knows how it will go with Javier Baez. Baez is in the final year of his deal. If they aren’t in the Wild Card race, they may trade him. Time will tell.

Chicago Cubs: Will they sign a player or hit free agency?

Again, time will tell. But let me reiterate–it’s not going to be pretty. Billy Hamilton was supposed to be headed for the Cubs–five years ago. He came from the New York Mets at the trade deadline–2020. He was with three teams in two years.

They don’t have a lot to spend. Through signing players or free agents? Bottom of the barrel for the Cubs–but doesn’t mean you can’t find it. Jeremy Jeffress and Jesse Chavez are two who found hope in signing a deal. Let’s hope Jeffress can find it AND sign with the Cubs. Chavez? He went back to the Texas Rangers got beat up, allowing a 4.85 and 6.88 ERA, respectively.

You never know what’s going to happen when signing a player or hitting free agency. It’s a crapshoot. You can get lucky with Jeffress and hit the jackpot. Or you can go the other route. Let’s pick the former.