Chicago Cubs: 4 players to be thankful for

Thanksgiving eve is upon us and Chicago Cubs fans are hoping for an eventful offseason that will see the team return to contention in 2023. After two consecutive losing seasons, the Cubs are expected to spend money this offseason at a level that they hadn't since 2017 with the goal of returning to the postseason in 2023.

The Cubs have their eyes set on acquiring a superstar shortstop this offseason as the team has been linked to free agents Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson. If the Cubs are able to land a shortstop like Correa, that certainly would change the lens through which this team is viewed in.

There is no question that the 2022 season was a disappointment for the Cubs but there remain players on the roster that the team should be thankful for as they move toward the future.

Chicago Cubs: 4 players to be thankful for: No.1 Christopher Morel

Perhaps the most memorable player on the Cubs' 2022 roster was rookie Christopher Morel. While not considered to be a top prospect entering the 2022 season, Morel did all of the things well while in the Cubs' minor league system and that would be the reason for his early callup to the Major League level last May.

Morel capped off his rookie season with a slash line of .235/.308/.433/.741 with 16 runs and a 108 wRC+ in 425 plate appearances. Morel's offensive success at the beginning of his Major League run essentially forced the issue for the team and he remained at the Major League level for the duration of the season. Morel enters 2023 with no set position but likely see plenty of playing time as the team's super-utility man.

Chicago Cubs: 4 players to be thankful for: No.3 Nico Hoerner

Given that the Cubs have targeted the top four free-agent shortstops this winter, many fans have pushed back against that idea because the team seemingly already has a shortstop in place in the form of Nico Hoerner. Before we express why we are thankful for Hoerner, let's once again remind everyone that the Cubs' pursuit of the free-agent shortstops has nothing to do with Hoerner. The Cubs need offensive improvement in 2023. The easiest way for the Cubs to find that improvement is through free agency. Outside of Aaron Judge, the best free-agent offensive players available this offseason play the shortstop position. The Cubs can sign one of those shortstops, improve their offense, and shift Hoerner over to second base where he projects a potential Gold Glove defender.

Hoerner is very much a part of the long-term future of the Cubs. Under team control in 2026, Hoerner proved to be one of the team's best players in 2022, a season that represented his first full season at the Major League level. In 517 plate appearances last season, Hoerner had a slash line of .281/.327/.410/.736.

Relax, Cubs' fans, Hoerner is very much a part of the Cubs' plans moving forward and we are thankful for that.

Chicago Cubs: 4 players to be thankful for: No.4 Justin Steele

One of the downfalls of the Cubs organization during their most recent contending window is the lack of pitching development within the minor league system. Beginning in 2019, the Cubs started to turn a corner with their pitching development and the biggest example of that would be the success that starting pitcher Justin Steele had last season.

In 119 innings pitched last season, Steele posted a 3.18 ERA (3.21 FIP) while posting a 2.6 WAR. What makes Steele's 2022 season most impressive is the success that he had in the second half. In 36 innings pitched during the second half last season, Steele posted a 0.96 ERA (2.76 FIP).

Steele represents the change in the philosophy of the Cubs organization in regard to pitching development. With the success that Steele had in 2022, he enters 2023 with the chance of blossoming into a true top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. If that is the case, then Cubs should be very thankful for what they saw from the starting pitcher in 2022.