Earlier this month we talked about the Chicago Cubs possibly working to develop Javier Baez into the next Ben Zobrist (in terms of defensive versatility). That project seems to be going well.
Rumors towards the end of the season pointed to Baez getting some reps in center field during fall/winter ball. That's been the case so far and he seems to be enjoying his time in the outfield as he gets acclimated to the change of scenery.
"I thought it was going to be hard for me," Baez told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. "But after the first game, everything went well. I feel comfortable."
As of five days ago, Baez had played only six games in center, but he has displayed his ability to effectively play defense, which likely means he'll see an expanded role in 2016. The youngster has already logged MLB games at first base, second base, shortstop and third base in 2015, so if he can play center field then manager Joe Maddon will have even more flexibility with his roster.
"I definitely think he can [play CF at the big league level]," Maddon told Tony Andracki of CSNChicago.com. "He's one of the best on-field defenders I've seen, period. The way he plays the infield, he's never in trouble. He's very calm, he's got this really high baseball acumen - he sees things in advance."
Additionally, while the Cubs seemingly have their outfield set for 2016 with Kyle Schwarber in left, Jason Heyward in center and Jorge Soler in right, one could argue that is no definitive unit. Schwarber showed his flaws in left, especially during the postseason, and he figures to start getting some reps at catcher at some point; Heyward's primary position is right field, so he may not be in center for very long; and Soler has been the subject of trade rumors as the Cubs hope to deepen their starting rotation (Soler is also regarded as a poor defender).
As a result, one change here can open the door wider for Baez. In the event Soler is traded, Heyward can shift over to right and Baez can take over in center. If Schwarber starts to get more time behind the plate, then Maddon can figure out who he'd want to put in left (he has many options, but Baez will likely get time somewhere on the field if this were to occur. For example, Maddon could put Kris Bryant in left and have Baez play third base).
Either way, the 2016 season is looking good for Baez. He may not have a primary position, but he'll be seeing time on the field under Maddon, who loves to switch things up as often as possible.
