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Picking a perfect Christmas gift for these 3 Cubs players
By Jake Misener
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone out there. I wish Jed Hoyer had Cody Bellinger gift-wrapped for Cubs fans under the tree this year, but we may have to wait a bit longer before a reunion comes together (fingers crossed).
This Christmas is special in our household because our daughter, who was born a couple weeks prior to the holidays in 2022 and just turned 1, is definitely bringing back the magic and excitement to the season. Here's to wishing everyone some time filled with friends, family and good memories.
Another exciting aspect of this time of year is the fact it means we have less than 2 months until pitchers and catchers report (and just weeks until Cubs Convention). So I took a stab at what three of the team's biggest names might be wishing for heading into 2024 - let's get started.
Christmas gifts for Cubs players - #3: A starting job and a Silver Slugger for Christopher Morel
Based on Craig Counsell's comments earlier in the offseason about Christopher Morel and the fact I think a team like the San Francisco Giants ponies up the dollars Matt Chapman and Scott Boras are looking for, I think the Cubs head into 2024 with Morel as their everyday third baseman.
If he can start to improve defensively and just maintain what he's done with the bat to this point, he could be a long-term answer at the hot corner - something the team has lacked, really, since Aramis Ramirez. Even Kris Bryant's time at third only lasted a few years before he started seeing more time in the outfield.
With regular playing time and a set position, Morel could take things to new heights next season - and I think he could even challenge Braves' third baseman Austin Riley for the NL Silver Slugger at third. In just 107 games last year, Morel hit 26 home runs and drove in 70 - all while playing six positions. Letting him settle in at third and penciling him into the lineup on a daily basis could help him establish himself as one of the league's most talented players.