MESA, Ariz. — Part of what made the Chicago Cubs’ disappointing finish last season so heartbreaking for everyone in the clubhouse was the special bond the group felt.
The Cubs have largely returned with the same group while infusing some new pieces, including left-hander Shota Imanaga, reliever Héctor Neris and first baseman Michael Busch, who hit his first homer of the spring Thursday night. Dansby Swanson has seen both sides to the run-it-back approach.
“It’s like well, some point like we’ve still got to improve and I feel like this offseason and so far like we’ve taken those steps in a bunch of different ways,” Swanson said. “That’s the key thing is that guys that were here guys, that weren’t here, some of the young kids like we all understand what it is we’re actually going for and what we need to do to get there and that’s been I feel a real big focus for us so far in spring training.”
For the Cubs to take that next step with this group and turn last season’s playoff-less disappointment into redemption, they will need some of their returners, particularly on the offensive side, to find that next gear.
1. Ian Happ and his production from the left side
Left fielder Ian Happ is introduced during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention on Jan. 12, 2024, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The 2023 season represented what has become a prototypical year for Happ. The switch hitter most notably owned a .360 on-base percentage to complement a 112 OPS+.
Hitting coach Dustin Kelly believes Happ still has another level he can reach offensively, an assessment with which the 29-year-old agrees.
“There’s definitely more in there,” Happ said. “You go through stretches of season where you’re really good and stretches where if you just minimize some of the little things. Last year I did a really good job of still walking when I wasn’t impacting the baseball the way I wanted to. That’s how you put together a full season, but there’s definitely more in there I think.”
Kelly pointed to Happ’s production from the left side as an area he can continue to improve his power. Happ put up strong numbers versus right-handers last season, including a .380 OBP, .830 OPS and 16 home runs in 411 at-bats. The addition of Michael Busch and return of Cody Bellinger will help take some pressure off Happ to provide the left-handed thunder. But it’s clear the Cubs see Happ providing more boom from his lefty swing, no matter where he is slotted into the batting order, which could include starts in the leadoff spot for Craig Counsell.
“That’s up to the manager and whatever he wants, whatever he thinks is the best line of construction, I’m open to it,” Happ said. “I don’t think you’re going to see the same lineup run out there for the first 10 games of the season. There’s probably going to be some figuring out exactly what this looks like with our group and with Counsell as the manager, but wherever he wants me to hit, that’s what I’m going to do.”
2. Nico Hoerner and his power numbers
Hoerner’s bat-to-ball skills are among the best on the Cubs.
He doesn’t draw a ton of walks, but his ability to hit for average and put the ball in play is a defining characteristic of his offensive profile. Hoerner’s power production has emerged a little bit over the last two years, posting 49 doubles, nine triples and 19 home runs with a .113 ISO and 6.4 XBH% in 1,110 at-bats. It was an uptick from his first three big-league seasons: 15 doubles, one triple and three home runs with a .078 ISO and 5.0 XBH% in 335 at-bats.
“We know Nico could go out there and hit .280 in his sleep,” Kelly said. “But there are a couple little things with his lower half that we’ve really worked on. He did an unbelievable job in the offseason.”
Hoerner incorporated bat-speed training to his offseason work to help open up his body and give him a little more room for error out in front. Hoerner knows there might occasionally be a contract-for-power trade-off at times, but he won’t be selling out trying to barrel more balls to the gap or slug home runs. He still wants to stay within himself while giving his swing a better chance to tap into the power Hoerner and the Cubs believe he possesses.
“There’s power in there. If you watch Nico take BP, there’s plenty of power in there,” Kelly said. “It’s just him getting a little bit more comfortable and taking some chances. And the game situation will dictate that. He’s not going to walk out here and try to hit 40 homers, that’s not what we’re asking of him. But there is power in there that he’ll be able to get to probably a little bit more this year.”
3. Seiya Suzuki and his consistency
When Suzuki is locked in and at his best, the right fielder can be among the best hitters in the league.
As he enters Year 3 with the Cubs, Suzuki put up MVP-caliber numbers during the final 47 games. In that span, he delivered a .356/.414/.672 slash line with 30 extra-base hits and 37 RBIs.
“I think he realizes that he can be that bat in our lineup, and he wants to be,” Kelly said. “I mean, that’s one of the things he talks about is he showed everybody how good he really is. And it wasn’t just a hot two-week period. He had a great second half.”
The biggest question for Suzuki: Can he reduce his slumps, both how long the funks can last and the impact they have on the lineup?
Suzuki ideally profiles as a No. 2 hitter for the Cubs because of his approach and threat to hit for power. He needs to develop more consistency to truly thrive as a key cog within the offense. His strong end to 2023 gives hope that he found the right balance in working the count while being aggressive earlier to avoid quickly falling into a two-strike situation.
