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Cubs infield was more good than bad in 2024, but this key position has to improve
A key trade deadline move took too long to settle in - but will be a key part of the plan in 2025.
Looking at the big picture, the Chicago Cubs infield was relatively solid in 2024. The group lacked consistency at times, but that was largely true for the team, as a whole, offensively.
Heading into the offseason, the infield mix looked pretty locked in with Michael Busch likely to return at first after a strong rookie season, Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson up the middle and trade deadline addition Isaac Paredes returning at third base. But this week brought the unexpected news that Hoerner underwent surgery and his timeline won't be clear until the spring, adding some uncertainty to the mix.
Cubs got all they hoped for and more with Michael Busch this year
When Rhys Hoskins signed with the rival Milwaukee Brewers, a large contingent of Cubs fans expressed their skepticism around handing first base to an unproven commodity in Michael Busch, who was acquired from the Dodgers just weeks prior.
He answered that skepticism with a solidly above-average rookie campaign, turning in 2.3fWAR and a 119 wRC+ while settling in nicely defensively as the year progressed. Busch rode the ups and downs as well as anyone, never panicking or changing approach during slumps and quickly getting back on track, avoiding any prolonged down spells.
Given his past defensive versatility, we can't rule out a position change for Busch in 2025 - especially if the Cubs pursue someone like Pete Alonso in free agency. But barring something dramatic, he'll be back at first next spring, looking to build on the foundation he laid this year.
Nico Hoerner played through an injury - but closed the year strong
Nico Hoerner remains one of the most underrated players on this team. Despite apparently being affected by an arm injury for a big chunk of the season, the former first-rounder only narrowly missed another 4.0 fWAR season (3.9 fWAR) and finished the year on a hot streak, batting .355 over the final month.
He eclipsed 30 stolen bases for the second consecutive year, with his work on the basepaths just one way he provided value for the Cubs. His low strikeout rate and strong bat-to-ball tools were a staple once again and the glovework remains elite, evidenced by his ranking in the 95th percentile in OAA.
Any thought of trading Hoerner is dead in the water given the flexor tendon surgery he underwent recently - meaning he'll be back alongside Swanson as one of the game's best double play tandems in 2025. The question is when he'll be back on the field. A prolonged absence would be a big loss for the Cubs, though, it could also open the door to a top prospect like Matt Shaw.
Dansby Swanson has to improve his offensive consistency next year
It was a forgettable first half at the plate for Dansby Swanson, who batted just .212 with a sub-.300 OBP prior to the All-Star break. He turned it on down the stretch, including an .856 OPS in the final month of the year - but his lack of offensive contributions when the team was in its free-fall were a major pain point.
Frankly, you just expect more consistency from the guy playing on the second-largest free-agent contract in franchise history. The bigger issue may have stemmed from him attempting to play through an injury at that time, which again raises larger questions about how the Cubs handle IL stints.
Despite the slow start, Swanson once again finished north of 4.0 fWAR. In fact, 2024 was the third-best year of his career by that metric, bested only by his monster 2022 walk-year with the Braves and his strong 2023 campaign with the Cubs. He came here to win - and you can bet he's going to be leaning hard on the front office to assemble a winner this winter.
Christopher Morel was a disaster - and Isaac Paredes was slow to adjust
A fan favorite in the post-Javier Baez era, Christopher Morel came into the season on the heels of a breakout 2023 in which he set career-highs in home runs (26) and OPS+ (122). The big question was whether or not he could make the transition to third base defensively.
The answer, pretty resoundingly, was 'no'. But the bigger problem was his offense cratered, which made his subpar glove work at third even more untenable for a Cubs team with only the narrowest margins for error. Morel batted just .199 for Chicago, and the expected metrics never came to fruition, forcing the hand of Jed Hoyer come July when he traded Morel to Tampa Bay in a deal that brought back power-hitting infielder Isaac Paredes.
Morel never found his footing with the Rays and, in Wrigleyville, Paredes really struggled to adjust to his 'new' digs. He hit just three home runs over the season's final two months, but at least started to produce again in September after an abysmal month of August where he made just about the worst first impression ever.
Barring a major shake-up or addition this winter, the Cubs have to get 30+ homers and a slugging percentage in the .500 range from Paredes if they want to win. They brought him in to be that corner infield power bat and if he can't provide that, this trade could end up being little more than Hoyer spinning his tires in an attempt to solve the third base dilemma.
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