Cubs News: 2023 Season Report Cards: First Base |
Last week, we started our season report card series by breaking down the performance of the catchers. Today, we shift to the infield as we cover one of two corner infield spots with first base. If there were ever a position for this team to address this offseason, the first base position would be it, as they have yet to figure that out since the departure of Anthony Rizzo.
Over the past two seasons, the Cubs have tried different options, such as Trey Mancini, Eric Hosmer, Alfonso Rivas, and Frank Schwindel, and all had some success at times, but nothing that was lasting success. This is one of the areas they need to address this offseason, which could be why the Pete Alonso rumors are starting to pick up steam. If the Cubs are looking to acquire Alonso, it would give him the legitimate first basemen they have been lacking the past few years while also giving them a much-needed power threat in the middle of the lineup. Here are the grades for the Cubs first basemen this season:
When the Cubs signed Eric Hosmer to a one-year free-agent contract, many questions surrounded it, although it did make some sense. After all, Hosmer was a former World Series Champ who was a consistent hitter for most of his career while also offering Gold Glove defense at first. Considering how this team was constructed over the offseason, adding a gold glove made sense so you could see why the move was made. Also, Hosmer came with a minimal 700K price tag, making it a no-brainer to give him a try. If it panned out, this would go down as a steal for the Cubs, and if it didn't work, the Cubs could cut ties for next to nothing. Not expected to be much of an everyday player this season, Hosmer was released less than 45 games into the season after posting a .234 average to go with two homers and 13 RBIs. No one expected his power numbers to be great, but his defense took a hit, which was the bigger surprise. Grade D+: No one expected a lot from Hosmer this season, but he was even worse than anticipated. Known for his defense at first, Hosmer was a different player defensively than he has been in the past, while his offensive numbers continued to decline due to his high ground ball rate. This was one of those low-risk signings that teams tend to make during the offseason, but it didn't work out in the team's favor.
Like the Hosmer signing, when the Cubs signed Trey Mancini to a two-year, 14-million dollar contract, it was a surprise, but you had to understand the team's thoughts. Jed Hoyer and company wanted to give Matt Mervis more time in the minors, so he wasn't expected to make the opening-day roster. Second, Mancini was another cheap veteran option who has put together some great seasons in the past, but has fallen on hard times as of late. Considering that Hosmer wasn't going to be an everyday player, adding Mancini not only gave the Cubs a potential 15-20 homer bat in the middle of the lineup, but also gave them the ability to platoon the two and play the right vs left matchup. While the thought process was great, the scenario was a nightmare as Mancini was even worse than Hosmer, if you can believe that. Granted, Mancini saw action in a lot more games, as he appeared in nearly 70 games. His production was barely better than Hosmer's, hitting .234 with four homers and 28 RBIs. That isn't the most disappointing part of his season, as his defense was putrid, and that is putting it lightly. When given the opportunity to play first, Mancini was not only terrible at defense, but he was the worst defensive 1B in the game and even cost the Cubs a few games early in the season. There is a reason why he was demoted to DH duties, but that didn't get his bat going. Season Grade D-: This was very close to earning an F grade, but given what the expectations were for him, he earned a slightly better grade. For the most part, Hoyer has done well when it comes to finding free agents, but this was one of those signings that didn't work out. Had this been a one-year deal, the Cubs could live with his struggles, but given that he was on a two-year deal, this appeared to be a dead deal midway through the season. Now, the Cubs are in a position to address the 1B position again, as they have no future at that position right now.Eric Hosmer
Trey Mancini
While those two saw the bulk of the time at 1B during the first half of the season, the Cubs also tried other options to figure something out. Matt Mervis and Jared Young were called up from AAA this season, and both saw minimal time at 1B. Mervis was coming off an impressive 2022 season and was once again lighting it up in AAA during the 2023 season.
However, those numbers were not replicated at the MLB level as he struggled and finished the season with a .167 average to go with three homers and 11 RBIs. Granted, David Ross may have pulled the trigger on him too early, but Mervis didn't do himself any favors as he couldn't lay off the low and inside slider.
When it comes to Young, he made his MLB debut late in the 2022 season and then returned to Iowa in 2023, where he put together an excellent season. His performance allowed him two promotions during the season, where he hit .186 with two homers and eight RBIs across 43 at-bats. Given the lack of overall playing time for both of these men, they get a combined grade of a D for the season, as these guys will be the in-house options to take over 1B next season.
