2024 Cubs Season Projections: Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, more |
When you look at the current state of the Cubs roster, yes, there are some holes and questions that need to be addressed, but also some spots that are locked up for the foreseeable future. The middle infield occupies some of those spots that are locked up as the corner outfield spots.
These are the positions the Cubs are not going to focus on over the next few seasons as everyone who plays those positions is under contract for a minimum of three more seasons, and it could be more depending on the direction this team goes. That is the key to all of this, as the success of the Cubs falls on the hands of their current core group of players to help set the standard for the future ahead. It's no secret that the Cubs have a bright future, but at some point, you have to stop waiting for the future and begin to focus on your current roster and what you can do with that. Ian Happ: Say what you will about Ian Happ and his tenure with the Cubs, but he is one of the leaders in the Cubs clubhouse. After putting together an up-and-down 2023, Happ has his sights set on 2024 as he hopes to build off the final two months of last season. It was during August and September that Happ got hot and was arguably the best hitter in the entire lineup. Happ is also entering the first season of his three-year extension that he signed last year, as he will be a mainstay in the Cubs lineup for the foreseeable future. When you look at his overall play on the field, you know what you will get, as he has been a gold glover and will continue to be in that conversation as long as he stays healthy. That is something no one could've predicted when his career started. At the plate, Happ is the definition of a streaky hitter, as he has been scorching hot for about three months and ice cold the other three. There is never an in-between, which is something the Cubs would love to see from him. However, through all of his struggles, Happ has the best eye on the team, which leads to a high OBP and is a big reason why some fans feel he should be the leadoff hitter again. Prediction: 155 games, .272 average, 22 home runs, 77 RBIs, and 12 steals It's no secret that Happ is an essential piece to this lineup, no matter where you play him. Should you put him in the middle of your lineup, he can be the run producer you need at times while also doing what has to be done to keep innings going. You can also make him the leadoff hitter due to his great eye at the plate, as he can start the game off on the right foot. That will be one of Craig Counsell's challenges this season as he needs to find the best spot for Happ. From a production side, Happ should be hitting in the middle of the lineup as he is a significant run producer. However, when Happ is at his best, as he was in 2020 and parts of 2021, he was leading off, which could be the plan this season.
Seiya Suzuki: When you talk about players under the most pressure or under the microscope, Suzuki is the name that comes to mind. After an up-and-down rookie season in 2022, Suzuki entered 2023 with a ton of confidence, only to suffer an injury in the Spring that put him on the IL to open the season. Once he returned, he never seemed comfortable at the plate apart from two weeks in May.
Things got so bad toward the second half of the season that David Ross not only benched him, but he didn't play for a week as some were wondering if his days with the Cubs were over. Then came the final two months, where Suzuki carried the Cubs offensively and emerged as one of the game's best hitters.
That is what Chicago is hoping to get from him this season. Should that happen, you're looking at a player who could be an MVP candidate and would be the middle-of-the-lineup bat everyone thought he could be. He needs to prove he can do it for six months.
Prediction: 149 games, .287 average, 32 homers, 104 RBIs
This is the one guy the Cubs and their fans should be the most excited about this season. There is a reason why Suzuki was so coveted out of Japan; all you have to do is look at his numbers there to back things up. He started to show what he could last season, and now it will be up to him to prove the final two months were not a fluke and that those are the numbers he can bring.
Other potential corner outfield options include veteran David Peralta, who the Cubs just signed to a minor league deal, and prospects Alexander Canario and Owen Caissie. Peralta is going to get a ton of opportunities this Spring to be the utility OF on this team and at worst a depth piece.
Caissie is expected to see time in the spring, but most expect him to land in AAA with 2025 his most likely arrival.
Canario has the biggest opportunity, and much of that falls on Christopher Morel, seeing time as third. That opens up a potential DH role, and Canario could fill that. Don't expect him to see a ton of playing time early on, but even if he gives you 70 games, you should expect 10-12 homers with 40 RBIs, as that would be good production in a part-time role.
