Cubs News: Counsell updates Christopher Morel's positional focus

David Banks - USA Today Sports

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Sat Feb 17 16:36:04 GMT-05:00 2024

One of the main topics of the Cubs offseason was whether Christopher Morel was on the trade block and if not, what position should he focus on with the ballclub.

"Let's give him a chance to 3rd base," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said to the media Saturday. "Let's give him some consistency at 3rd base, see where we're at roster-wise at some point in camp, and then go forward from there."

Counsell left open the possibility of Morel moving positions eventually but wants to see Morel handle third base for now and try to keep that potent bat in the lineup.

"Christopher's done so much with the bat that it's our job to figure out the best way to deploy it," Counsell said. "To say he can play a lot of positions, yes. We have to play them at a certain level that it makes sense for the bat to be in there. And it is harder to play multiple positions, no question about it."

In 2023, Morel hit .247 with 26 homers and 70 RBIs in 107 games.

Morel has the potential to be a huge part of the Cubs' future if they can find an everyday spot for him to play, as well as being ready to DH.

“I look at this as a young player who’s had a lot of offensive success at an early age,” Counsell said. “We’ve got to figure out positionally — we don’t have to decide today — but hopefully get some definition in what we are asking him to do defensively because there’s too much offense there to just ignore that, you know? Obviously finding a defensive position, or finding a role defensively, would help him, but frankly I need some time to kind of digest all that.”