Super Utility as a Designated Position, and Javy Baez May Be the Guy

javier baez defense

Raise your hand if – in, oh let’s say, the past year and a half – you’ve said something along the lines of, “Player X or Player Y is the next Ben Zobrist”. And be honest.

The truth is, most baseball fans have probably been guilty of committing this crime at least once, but Cubs fans have been especially susceptible, of late.

It’s not too hard to understand why, either.

Not only do the Cubs have the actual Ben Zobrist on the roster, they have his former manager, Joe Maddon, the guy who is somewhat responsible for the Zobrist-super-utility-player-model in the first place. In addition, the team has an abundance of young positional talent that the fans would love to keep around. So, in that respect, desiring a true super-utility position on the roster, is more than understandable.

[adinserter block=”1″]Despite having the man himself, though, the Cubs do not intend to lean on Zobrist, 34, the way he’s been utilized throughout the rest of his career. Instead, we know that a big reason he came to Chicago – and left money on the table, in the process – is because he wanted to have a dedicated position (second base) where he could start everyday. Fair enough – he’s earned it.

Of course, that won’t make Cubs fans stop itching for a super utility player, and in Javier Baez, the they may already have their guy. Although he struggled with a few balls in center field early yesterday (Cubs.com), there’s little reason to believe Baez can’t handle many defensive positions with aplomb – he’s starting at first base today. And Baez playing some center field or first base is about much more than just trying to have a back-up-back-up at a few positions.

In a report at CSN Chicago, Tony Andracki spoke with Joe Maddon on this very subject and it’s well worth your time. Although this isn’t the first this arrangement has been proposed, the discussion is starting to take on quite a different shape. What was once the classic fallback, “we’ll there’s no where else for him to play, so he can be a super utility player,” is slowly becoming an actually dedicated developmental and strategic plan for Javier Baez and the Cubs.

“I like when a young guy comes up like that and plays multiple positions.” Joe Maddon said per Tony Andracki, “I think it takes emphasis off of his offense. So a guy like him might actually relax offensively knowing, ‘I gotta come to the park today and catch some grounders at third, some at short, I gotta take flyballs.'”

Maddon went on to say that Baez can play defense at any position as good as anyone and that he believes Baez truly enjoys his new role.

And why shouldn’t he? It’s not just a bench job. It’s a true-to-life position on the team. After all, in the past, Maddon has explicitly said “I actually believe [super utility player] is a position just like shortstop or second base.”

[adinserter block=”2″]And Maddon can back up that assertion. From 2009-2014, Ben Zobrist received a minimum of 599 plate appearances in each and every season under Joe Maddon. During that time, he played at every single position other than pitcher or catcher, moving between multiple position in the same game. It is in this way, that Javier Baez can see legitimate playing time throughout the 2016 season – even with quality players at every spot.

And, if it helps Baez’s development in the meantime, that would be a double win. It’s not as though this is an easy task. Playing multiple positions in one season (or even in one’s entire career) requires a special skill-set, excellent defense and extraordinary baseball knowledge and acumen. Luckily, all three things have been said about Javier Baez before.

So, you see, this could be more than just Baez helping out wherever or whenever he’s needed, just because the lineup is otherwise full. This could be grooming, sincerely, for him to become an actual Ben Zobrist type player for many years.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

Latest News

How to Watch Celtics vs. Hawks: Live Stream or on TV

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) hope to continue a three-game home winning stretch when hosting the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET.In their last time out, the Celtics lost 120-118 to the Hawks on Monday....

Rangers vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Texas Rangers open their season as -120 favorites in a home matchup with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at 7:35 PM ET, live on ESPN.Nathan Eovaldi will get the ball for Texas while Chicago will counter with Justin Steele.Rangers...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Dejounte Murray make four 3-pointers when the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Bogdan Bogdanovic needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Atlanta Hawks meet the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under...

Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, it'll be the Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks, with Jayson Tatum needing three treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJayson Tatum's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Jaylen Brown must make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics play the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJaylen Brown's over/under for...

Derrick White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Derrick White needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics meet the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 7:30 PM ET.Derrick White's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksDerrick White's over/under for...

BetMGM Promo Code Boosts Your First Bet Up to $1,500 for MLB, NCAA Tourney, and Beyond

The 2024 baseball season is upon us! But before the first pitch is thrown, why not enhance your MLB betting experience with the BetMGM Promo Code welcome offer. With Opening Day right around the corner, baseball fans are eager to...

WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

more cubs news