As spring training ramps up, we find ourselves just about three weeks from Opening Day. The Chicago Cubs and manager Craig Counsell are starting to piece together the roster to begin their 2024 campaign. So far, we have seen plenty of young talent take the field for the Cubs in later innings. But as the season gets closer to beginning, we will see more stars ramping things up and going deeper into games.
Counsell spoke on Chicago's 670 The Score Thursday morning, discussing where they are as a team after starting spring play. The adjustment from being the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers has been relatively calm for Counsell, he says. He's staying in the same division and has plenty of information and experience playing these teams. The most significant benefit is having the amount of depth and stock the Cubs have in the minor league system. This will help to keep things moving through the season if needed.
Counsell said they are ready to start considering who they'll take to Opening Day against the Texas Rangers. While many positions are locked and ready to go, some spots remain to be filled and questions to be answered. Counsell takes us behind the curtain to help us understand where he is on some of the openings.
Cubs, Craig Counsell Committed To Michael Busch
Craig Counsell first said that he and the Cubs are committed to giving Michael Busch a spot in the lineup to start the season. The Cubs acquired Busch in a January trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. So far this spring, he has started four games at first base and one as the designated hitter. He's been in the Cubs' lineup just about every other day.
General Manager Carter Hawkins has already said the Cubs want Busch to be the first baseman on Opening Day, but that was before the return of Cody Bellinger. Now, the Cubs have even more flexibility at first base and extra power in the lineup. Bellinger is a center fielder, but we saw him come up clutch for the Cubs at first base in 2023. His bat and versatility back in the lineup significantly improved the Cubs' outlook but also generated a ripple effect that will impact the rest of the roster.
If everything goes as planned for the Cubs, Busch will be at first base on Opening Day with Bellinger in center field. With AAA Oklahoma City in 2023, Busch batted .323 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs. The Cubs will have two left-handed bats in the lineup that can provide power and consistency if both live up to their 2023 hype.
A Crowded Outfield Roster
Barring injury/unforeseen circumstances, we know the starting outfield for the Cubs on Opening Day will be Ian Happ in left, Cody Bellinger in center, and Seiya Sizuiki in right. We also know that Craig Counsell has a roster spot designated for outfielder Mike Tauchman. This leaves quite a few names in the air to make the roster on Opening Day.
Cubs' top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong hoped to make the major league roster coming into camp, but he may be a casualty of the Bellinger ripple effect. With Bellinger in center field, if it comes down to PCA and Michael Busch, the Cubs are going to make sure Busch is getting at-bats. There may not be a place for him to get consistent playing time initially.
However, Counsell talked about his many options and how not everything will last for all 162 games. The Cubs will eventually dip into the minors pool, and PCA will be at the top of the list. But Counsell also said Owen Caissie could play a role for the Cubs this season. Caissie is having a stellar spring training and is making his case for a spot on AAA Iowa's roster to start the year. PCA, Caissie, and others will provide a stacked lineup for the Iowa fans and will undoubtedly get a chance to shine at some point in Chicago.
Counsell Still Non-Committal At Third Base
Craig Counsell talked a lot about Christopher Morel but is still non-committal to an everyday third baseman being named. Morel, Nick Madrigal, and Patrick Wisdom are expected to make the roster and be options at third base to start the season. As camp began, Counsell said Morel would have the chance to earn the spot for Opening Day.
The Cubs have been experimenting at third base all spring long. Morel has the most starts there so far, and Madrigal is spending time there and his natural second base. Naturally, the Cubs will keep David Bote ready if an injury occurs to play some innings in Chicago. But a name to keep an eye on as spring cranks up and the regular season begins is Matt Shaw.
Shaw was drafted by the Cubs just last year and has hit the ground running. He played 15 games with High-A South Bend and 20 with AA Tennessee in 2023. Altogether, he had a .357 average with 21 extra-base hits. Shaw's career has been brief thus far, but he is doing everything right.
Drafted as a shortstop, Shaw sees the Cubs are set with their middle infield for the foreseeable future. Shaw spent all winter taking reps at third base. Doing so, we have seen him make some great plays there this spring. If he is with AAA Iowa, he may be playing second to give way to Bote at third. But he will certainly join the other prospects on the forty-man roster, waiting for their opportunity.
Other Notable Counsell Thoughts
Talking briefly about Shota Imanaga's debut and the starting rotation, Craig Counsell said he loved what he saw from his start. He was asked about potentially dropping down to be the fifth starter to ease his adjustment to the change to MLB. Dismissing it, Counsell said Imanaga would be in the rotation, but so would several others on the pitching staff. He likes the idea of giving pitchers extra rest as much as he can. With that mindset, having just five starters isn't necessary. This bodes well, considering how the pitching staff crumbled due to stamina in 2023.
Counsell said he will prioritize making sure the best lineup is in place to win as much as possible. The way he talked about the pitching staff and the organization's depth makes it plausible that he will not be shy about going with the hot hand. For example - Michael Busch could struggle out of the gate. If Pete Crow-Armstrong is thriving in Iowa, he may be willing to make the switch sooner rather than later.
At the end, Counsell said his most significant adjustment has been learning to like hearing "Go Cubs Go" blare through the speakers at the end of games. He said he used to find it annoying but is learning to enjoy having it stuck in his head. We're all hoping the song is stuck in his head (along with other managers') a lot in 2024 and beyond.
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