Chicago Cubs Making Big Change with Young Slugger

The Chicago Cubs appear set to make a big change with young slugger Christopher Morel: they are moving him to first base.

Per Insider Bruce Levine on social media:

Here at GM meetings, Cub president of BB opts Jed Hoyer said that Christopher Morel is playing first base in winter ball. Its likely he will stay there.

Here at GM meetings, Cub president of BB opts Jed Hoyer said that Christopher Morel is playing first base in winter ball. Its likely he will stay there.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) November 8, 2023

This does a few things for the Cubs:

1) It gives Morel a position. He played DH exclusively down the stretch, so by having a position, the DH spot becomes more open to the organizaton.

2) With that DH spot now open, might the Cubs be in the mix for Shohei Ohtani? Ohtani can't do anything but DH next year because of elbow issues, so by clearing out the position, there is a pathway for Ohtani to have a regular spot in the lineup.

3) If not Ohtani, could it be Justin Turner? The former Dodgers and Red Sox slugger is available in free agency. While he can play first base, he's best suited for DH at this point in his career. He drove in nearly 100 runs last season for the Red Sox.

As for Morel, the team also wants his bat in the lineup. The 24-year-old hit 26 home runs for the Northsiders in 2023. He drove in 70 runs and hit .247. If the team loses Cody Bellinger in free agency, he'll be a big part of the lineup next season.

Chicago went 83-79 and finished second in the National League Central last season.

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