03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 37
MLB ’24 NL CENTRAL PREVIEW CHICAGO CUBS
Sunday, March 24, 2024 37
2023: 83-79, second place | Manager: Craig Counsell (first season) | Opening Day: March 28 at Texas
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
CF Cody Bellinger (.307, 26 HRs, 97
RBIs, 20 SBs, .881 OPS), RF Seiya
Suzuki (.285, 20, 74, 31 2Bs, .842
OPS), LF Ian Happ (.248, 21, 84, 35
2Bs), SS Dansby Swanson (.244, 22,
80), INF Christopher Morel (.247,
26, 70, .821 OPS).
PROJECTED ROTATION
LH Justin Steele (16-5, 3.06 ERA),
LH Shota Imanaga (7-4, 2.80 with
Yokohama in Japan’s Central
League), RH Jameson Taillon (8-10,
4.84), RH Kyle Hendricks (6-8,
3.74), LH Jordan Wicks (4-1, 4.41) or
RH Javier Assad (5-3, 3.05).
ONE TO WATCH
2B Nico Hoerner (.283,
9, 68, 98 runs, 43 SBs)
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Adbert Alzolay (2-5, 2.67 ERA,
22/25 saves), RH Héctor Neris (6-3,
1.71, 2 saves with Astros), RH Mark
Leiter Jr. (1-3, 3.50, 4 saves), RH
Julian Merryweather (5-1, 3.38, 2
saves).
OUTLOOK
Craig Counsell was a surprise hire in
November, taking over a club that
made just one playoff appearance
in the previous five years. His ability
to get the most out of his Milwaukee teams was a major reason why
he was brought in by Chicago. The
former big-league infielder inherits
a solid group of position players, led
by Swanson and Bellinger, and a rotation fronted by the rising Steele.
Bellinger could experience some
regression after his resurgent 2023
season, but Suzuki and Morel are
capable of increased production.
The minor league system is loaded,
so the Cubs have some options in
the event of injuries, or if they decide to go shopping for help at the
trade deadline.
MATT
YORK/AP
HE’S HERE
LHP Shota Imanaga, RHP Héctor Neris, RHP Yency Almonte, INF Michael Busch.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
Manager David Ross, RHP Marcus Stroman (left), INF Jeimer Candelario, RHP Michael Fulmer.
— Associated Press
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