5 underperforming Chicago Cubs who need to improve to stick around

5 Chicago Cubs that need to get it together – #5: David Bote

In April of 2019, Bote signed a team-friendly extension of only $15 million over five years. He took the guaranteed route to make sure he can provide for himself and his loved ones. For that, he has my respect. However, breaking down the man as a baseball player, he needs to improve because even that contract seems like it has been overpriced lately.

Over the last two seasons, Bote has slashed a combined .202/.282/.362 in 413 plate appearances. He is currently on his second IL stint of the season after spraining his ankle in a freak accident during batting practice. Earlier in the year, Bote missed nearly two months with a dislocated left shoulder. Shoulder injuries can have a serious impact on your swing, so the hope is once he is back from his ankle injury he can get into a groove and finish out the season and show that is was just in fact the shoulder hindering his performance.

He has cut down on his errors in the field as he has only committed three this year and his ability to play multiple positions in the infield is valuable. He simply will have to swing a better and more consistent bat moving forward. Given the fact that Wrigley Field is a hitter’s ballpark, his career slash in the Friendly Confines of .236/.333/.387 has been less than ideal to say the least. Hopefully he can change his approach at the plate and once again become a threat in the lineup.