Cubs March Madness: 4 lingering, massive questions Chicago must answer

2 - Is Christopher Morel ready to seize the third base job?

Boy, if the Cubs can solve their third base situation with one of their highest upside offensive pieces, it could go a long way toward helping the club turn the corner in a big way.

Christopher Morel's defense will continue to be a concern in the short-term and Craig Counsell and the Cubs have accepted that. The team says it's committed to letting him settle in at one position, something he's never had the opportunity to do. The hope is that he can call the hot corner home and potentially unlock another level to an already impressive offensive game.

Last season, after opening the year at Triple-A Iowa, Morel came up and put up eye-popping numbers, tying for the team lead with 26 home runs in just 107 games. If he and Seiya Suzuki can take that next step and be the middle-of-the-order bats the Cubs hope they are, this lineup will look far more formidable as the summer goes on.

There are going to be bumps in the road, sure. Based on what we've seen in his still-young career, having Morel in the starting lineup daily should the Cubs better, and now it's up to him to deliver.