(Audacy) Christopher Morel is getting the chance to stake his claim to the Cubs’ third-base job, but general manager Carter Hawkins on Monday made clear that he doesn’t have infinite runway to prove himself.
The 24-year-old Morel’s offensive ability is tantalizing, which is why Chicago is insistent on finding a spot for him defensively. The latest experiment has been putting Morel at third base, which has proved to be an adventure so far.
Morel has spent most of his time in the big leagues in the outfield or at second base, but he did enter 2024 with 23 games of third base experience in MLB. The position also was an area of need for the Cubs last season, which they addressed with their trade deadline move to acquire Jeimer Candelario, but he joined the Reds in free agency this past offseason.
It would be ideal for the Cubs to trust Morel at third, but he did little in spring training to inspire optimism as a defender at the hot corner. In the Cubs' 9-5 win against the Rangers on Sunday, Morel had a throwing error that led to a pair of unearned runs for Texas in the second inning.
On Monday, Morel will get the start at third base as the Cubs host the Rockies in their home opener, which will mark the third time in the first four games he’ll get the nod there.
Before the game, Hawkins explained how the Cubs view Morel's opportunity at third base.
“It’s a constant conversation, it’s a constant calibration with us and with Chris," Hawkins said. "To the extent that we’re seeing progress, to the extent that we think that that’s going to help us win the most games over the course of the season, we’re going to continue to press forward on it. If ever that changes, we’ll have to make a different decision, but as of right now, we're getting him the reps and trying to see the progress so that we can be the best version of ourselves. When Chris is at third is probably the best version of the Cubs we can find — if he’s playing great defense.
“It’s just a constant conversation. It’s not something we’re going to set it and forget it. It’s something that we’re going to be talking about throughout the year. If he continues to put the work in, it'll give him a shot to make the progress he needs, and we’re confident he’ll be doing that, for sure.”
If Morel can’t establish himself as a current option at third, Nick Madrigal will likely receive more playing time there.