Cubs 2021 opening day roster

CHICAGO – Much of the competition for the opening day jobs with the Cubs centered around the bench, the reliever box and the back of the rotation. There was also a battle at second base, but most of the roster was stuck before the first preseason pitch.

This type of spring training is usually the mark of a team considering relying on an established group of players.

“I feel like our superstars will be the ones who carry us,” said Cubs manager David Ross. “These are the guys we’re going to rely on to do what they can do to keep winning. And these guys have been winners for a long time. So we’re going to ride these guys.”

The Cubs are hoping the race will end with the World Series, and the starting point for that trip arrives Thursday with opening day at Wrigley Field.

Here is the breakdown of the list scheduled for opening day in Chicago.

Catch (2): Willson Contreras, Tony Wolters
Contreras enjoyed a strong performance in the Cactus League (1,196 OPS), which included being tested as a potential No.2 hitter. Ross said he thinks the All-Star wide receiver has a few elements. key offensives that could make him a great option in this critical position in the roster. Expect Contreras to play a ton as Chicago’s No.1, and he has the potential to be an X-Factor, given his attacking potential and continued defensive growth. On the eve of opening day, the Cubs added Wolters to the mix as a backup for Contreras. The move injects some experienced depth into the crease, given veteran Austin Romine (right knee) was injured in the spring and his return schedule is uncertain.

First base (1): Anthony Rizzo
The only question surrounding Rizzo this spring was whether the veteran first baseman would put his name on an extension. That didn’t happen, making it an important season for the longtime main player. Rizzo is ready for his ninth consecutive opening day assignment for the Cubs. Dating from 1900, only Mark Grace (12 from 1989-2000), Ernie Banks (new from 1962-70) and Charlie Grimm (12 from 1925-36) had at least as many consecutive starts from opening day to the first basis for the franchise. When in good health, Rizzo has shown he can be a safe bet for a season of around 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Second base (1): David Bote
The decision for the Cubs went to the more experienced Bote against promising Nico Hoerner. After both players put in impressive performances on the plateau this spring, Ross announced that “It’s David’s turn.” So, after a few seasons as a utility man, Bote will have the opportunity to show that he can be an everyday player in the Majors. Rather than keeping Hoerner in a sporadic bench role, the club opted for him for Triple-A to start the season. Bote produces some of the best exit speeds among Chicago hitters, has shown a knack for clutch moments, and offers solid defense. Behind him, the Cubs will have a veteran save option in left swing Eric Sogard, who adds a high contact bat to the mix.

Third base (1): Kris bryant
Bryant had a slow offensive spring (.582 OPS), but Ross noted that the third baseman also used some of his at-bats to test certain swing adjustments. Bryant fits in Ross’s category of trusting the back of the baseball card. When healthy, the third baseman produced elite numbers. Last year, when Bryant scored a .644 OPS in just 34 games, he was battling a myriad of injuries. The question that will hang over Bryant all season will be whether he is playing his final season with the Cubs. Like a few of his teammates, Bryant may be a free agent next offseason.

Short stop (1): Javier Baez
Báez, Bryant and Rizzo could all be free agents next winter, making this season not only a chance to enjoy the race together, but also to play for potential contracts. Ross stressed that he wanted the Cubs’ base hitters to be themselves and play “a little selfish” this season. This certainly applies to these three players. What will be interesting is to see where Ross places Báez in the roster at the start of this season. In the home stretch last year, Báez was moved to the No. 6-7 lineup. One thing Báez hopes will amplify his attack is the return of video to the game and having fans in the stands again.

Outer field (4): Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, Jake Marisnick, Joc Pederson
Pederson takes over on the left from longtime fan favorite Kyle Schwarber, but the new Cubs outfielder has done his best to win people over this spring. Pederson hit .378 / .431 / 1.000 in the Cactus League with eight home runs and 19 RBIs. Ross will give everyday bats a chance to start this season. Happ is back in center after the 2020 breakthrough and veteran Heyward returns as a Gold Glove caliber right fielder. Marisnick gives the Cubs a floating-footed fourth outfielder who can offer a slug on the bench and a late-inning defensive option for the center. If Marisnick makes the center man, Happ and Pederson have the ability to play both corners. It’s possible Bryant will make left cameos against a tough left pitcher this season as well.

Utility (2): Matt Duffy, Eric Sogard
The decision to give Bote the day-to-day work at second base had a ripple effect on the lineup of the Chicago bench. Sogard offers a left bat with high contact ability, and he can play anywhere on the court, including the shortstop. The Cubs decided he would be better equipped for bench work than Hoerner. Once the Cubs made that choice, they went with Duffy for a straight bat on the bench. Duffy can also play anywhere in the infield, providing depth, especially in the corners. Like Sogard, Duffy also provides a high contact bat for pinch situations. Ildemaro Vargas, who was in the mix for a job in the utilities, has been nominated for an assignment but has cleared waivers and will stay with the Cubs at Triple-A as depth.

Starting pitchers (5): Adbert Alzolay, Jake Arrieta, Zach Davies, Kyle Hendricks, Trevor Williams
Hendricks takes the ball as the Cubs’ opening day starter for the second year in a row, and will be followed (in order) by Arrieta, Davies, Williams and Alzolay. Hendricks and Davies are the most similar in terms of repertoire, so Chicago ordered their rotation to avoid having them back to back. Arrieta and Williams have spent all spring tweaking some delivery adjustments and the Cubs have been pleased with the early feedback. Alzolay was against Alec Mills for the last job and convinced the Cubs to give him the job with an impressive outing against a formidable Dodgers lineup late in camp. That said, Alzolay will need to have his innings carefully managed this year, so expect Mills to make starts as well. Rotation contender Shelby Miller has impressed this spring, but will be heading to the alternate training site to provide significant and experienced depth.

Soulages (9): Jason Adam, Rex Brothers, Andrew Chafin, Craig Kimbrel, Dillon Maples, Alec Mills, Ryan Tepera, Dan Winkler, Brandon Workman
After a difficult start to his spring, Kimbrel made four good outings to close his Cactus League participation. In last season’s abridged schedule, Ross was hesitant to put the closer tag on one arm, but the manager made it clear that Kimbrel was the closest to starting this campaign. The installation situation will be more fluid, with a bunch of weapons in the mix for high leverage work. Expect Ross to mix and match in the first few weeks looking for the right formula. Mills will give the Cubs a sort of swingman over several innings. It can serve as a # 6 starter, but also provide a bridge to the end of inning arms if starters are pulled early.