3 Chicago Cubs role changes we would already make after a week of games
We are officially a week into the Major League Baseball regular season and the Chicago Cubs are 2-3 on the season. The Cubs had an Opening Day victory against the Milwaukee Brewers last Thursday but proceeded to lose three consecutive games before blowing out the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
The biggest question that remains is will the real Cubs' offense please stand up? The Cubs were lifeless during the final two games of their series against the Brewers last weekend but the offense saw a resurgence against the Reds. The Cubs' offensive display against the Reds was probably what the best version of this team will be but they still lack a true power threat.
Addressing that lack of a power threat is one of the three role changes that we would already make for the Cubs.
3 Chicago Cubs role changes we would already make after a week of games - Matt Mervis replaces Eric Hosmer on the Major League roster.
That Eric Hosmer experience takes the life out of a fanbase. Hosmer appears to be off to his typical start to the season as he collected 5 hits in the Cubs' series against the Reds to raise his slash line on the season to .294/.294/.412. Still, Hosmer grades out as a below-average offensive player as he currently has a 88 wRC+ and .304 wOBA.
The Cubs need to call Matt Mervis immediately. Mervis has gotten off to a scorching hot start with the Iowa Cubs this season as he has posted a 180 wRC+ through his first 3 games of the season to go along with 1 home run, 1 double, and 3 RBI. Mervis has also drawn three walks so far this season. The Cubs are in desperate need of a legitimate power threat in the middle of their lineup and Mervis fits the mold.
3 Chicago Cubs role changes we would already make after a week of games - Christopher Morel takes over as the super utility player
The most intriguing roster decision that the Chicago Cubs made during Spring Training was opting to start Christopher Morel in Triple-A while Miles Mastrobuoni made the Major League team as a super-utility player. The Cubs stated that the decision was made in order for Morel to get regular at-bats while playing every day.
Morel had 15 plate appearances through the first 3 games of the Iowa Cubs' season and has 4 hits. Those 4 hits include a home run, a double, and a triple. Meanwhile, Mastrobuoni has 11 plate appearances through the Cubs' first 5 games with only 1 hit. Mastrobuoni also got off to a rough start in the field as he misplayed a ball in the outfield during last Saturday's game that resulted in two runs scored.
The difference in plate appearances is not major but if he is not demoted, chances are Mastrobuoni's playing time will decrease significantly once Seiya Suzuki returns from injury. Still, for a Cubs' team with expectations at the Major League level, Morel should be on the roster.
3 Chicago Cubs role changes we would already make after a week of games - David Ross would be replaced as manager
It has been a less-than-desirable start to the season for Cubs' manager David Ross. Ross made a pair of poor decisions in Saturday's loss to the Brewers and his decision on Monday to let third baseman Patrick Wisdom, the Cubs' greatest power threat, bunt with two runners on base in the seventh inning of a game in which they trailed still has fans irritated.
Ross making poor in-game decisions is not necessarily anything that is new. Many fans are noticing Ross' questionable in-game managing for the first time as the manager really hasn't had many expectations placed on him since he took the position in 2020. Sure, he has been the perfect bridge between the front office and the roster, but he hasn't been much beyond that. The first week of games has only further proven that Ross is likely the manager that brings a team to the doorstep of contending with the next manager being the one that is invited in.