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3 positions the Chicago Cubs need to improve before Spring Training

By Jordan Campbell |
Philadelphia Phillies v Chicago Cubs
Philadelphia Phillies v Chicago Cubs / Nuccio DiNuzzo/GettyImages
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The Chicago Cubs have been active this offseason as the team raised the floor of their expected level of production. The free-agent signings of shortstop Dansby Swanson, starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, and center fielder Cody Bellinger will likely prove to be the biggest additions to the team's roster in 2023.

Swanson, at least until top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong arrives, instantly became the face of the Cubs' franchise when he signed his seven-year deal worth $177MM last month. Taillon adds a veteran presence and another quality arm to the Cubs' starting rotation. And Bellinger represents a significant defensive upgrade for the Cubs in center field.

Not to be lost in the discussion is the Cubs' signings of catcher Tucker Barnhart, first baseman Eric Hosmer, and relief pitcher Brad Boxberger. Each of the signings is acceptable when looking at each in a vacuum but does little to move the needle for the Cubs overall.

Spring Training is about one month away and there are three positions that the Cubs must still address.

3 positions the Cubs need to improve before Spring Training: Third Base

With Cubs' manager David Ross already on a record in saying that the plan is for Christopher Morel to serve as a super-utility player for the team in 2023, the current projection has Patrick Wisdom as the team's third baseman to begin the season. Wisdom has hit 25+ home runs in each of the past two seasons but still has significant swing-and-miss in his offensive style and his fielding at third base regressed during the 2022 season.

If the Cubs plan to address their lack of power before the start of Spring Training, there is a chance that the team may look to trade for a third baseman that has more offensive consistency while also not being a liability in the field.

Aug 17, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rowan Wick (50)
Aug 17, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rowan Wick (50) / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3 positions the Cubs need to improve before Spring Training: Closer

If there is one area in which the Cubs have thrived in during the course of their rebuild, it has been their bullpen. In each of the past two seasons, the Cubs have successfully rehabilitated veteran closers David Robertson and Craig Kimbrel and replenished the farm system by moving each of them at the respective Major League Baseball trade deadline in 2021 and 2022.

After the Cubs trade of Roberston at the deadline last season, Rowan Wick was afforded the opportunity to cement himself as the team's closer moving forward. Unfortunately, Wick's struggles from the 2021 season continued into the 2022 season and he was unable to seize the opportunity that was in front of him.

Veteran Brad Boxberger was signed by the team this offseason but it seems likely that the team views him as a primary right-handed setup man in the bullpen. It would stand to reason that the Cubs would like to add at least one more arm to the backend of the rotation and ideally that would be a veteran that has closing experience.

Iowa Cubs first baseman Matt Mervis connects on a pitch for a base hit against St. Paul during a
Iowa Cubs first baseman Matt Mervis connects on a pitch for a base hit against St. Paul during a / Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY

3 positions the Cubs need to improve before Spring Training: DH

When Willson Contreras signed a five-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this offseason, the thought was centered around the impact that it had on the team's catching position. One thought that was overlooked was that Contreras was primarily the Cubs' designated hitter in 2022.

Entering the 2023 season, the Cubs are without a clear designated hitter. If Matt Mervis is a legitimate candidate to make the Major League team out of Spring Training, then there is a chance that he and veteran Eric Hosmer will alternate between first and designated hitter.

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The priority entering the offseason for Cubs' president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was to improve the team's power production and that has yet to be addressed. A free agent such as Nelson Cruz remains on the market and could be an option for the Cubs before they being Spring Training.

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