The 2023 lineup for the Chicago Cubs is taking shape before spring training arrives in February.
With the team signing multiple starting players this offseason, some of the previous starting players must fight for a job in 2023.
For one player, he’s willing to play anywhere to remain in the starting lineup.
This player is Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal.
With the signing of Dansby Swanson, and the moving of Nico Hoerner to second, Madrigal is in no-man’s-land with his team.
However, he doesn’t mind moving to another position to stay with the Cubs.
He’s had this mindset since the Chicago White Sox got him in the 2018 MLB Draft.
But with the current lineup, he might not have a future as a starter in Chicago.
🚨NEW CUBS LINEUP🚨
What is the lineup going to be on Opening Day? Since our last projection, who is in and who is out? Who hits leadoff? Those questions and much more in one of the episode links below!
📺Watch https://t.co/6BWPgMjGn0
📻Listen https://t.co/ZKkVS5Ciei pic.twitter.com/WhdtDaipLb— Locked On Cubs (@LockedOnCubs) January 18, 2023
Swanson and Hoerner are definite starters for their positions.
Eric Hosmer, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Cody Bellinger are also definite starters for their positions.
This leaves Madrigal with the third base position, which Patrick Wisdom plays, and catcher, which people project Yan Gomes to play.
With no experience at either position, it’s not likely the Cubs will start him over Wisdom or Gomes.
However, it’s possible for him to transition into a third baseman with his infield experience.
But it still leaves him with the challenge to overtake Wisdom during spring training.
But a report from 2018 shows he has confidence that he “can play anywhere in the infield.”
With him having this confidence, all he needs to do is execute on the field.
If he can prove himself as a solid third baseman, there might be hope for him in 2023.
