Chicago Cubs: This is the perfect lineup for the 2021 season
![MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs poses during Chicago Cubs Photo Day on February 18, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs poses during Chicago Cubs Photo Day on February 18, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0d396f9290605b2b4ab2bd6e0e21fed8a05a7c878e85b4823f50247a210e4dc7.jpg)
player. 9. . 3B. Chicago Cubs. David Bote. 13
7. David Bote – 3B
The Chicago Cubs have something with Kris Bryant and David Bote as a duo. Bryant is the better player but Bote can be a decent contributor. If you use Bryant in left-field, you use Bote at third base. If they decided to flip them it would work but for the sake of this lineup, Bryant is replacing Schwarber in left while Bote takes over at third. Bote has had some great moments as a Chicago Cubs player and should get more regular time in 2021.
Bote played in 45 games out of 60 last season so it was a pretty good year for him in terms of playing time. A large portion of that probably came when Kris Bryant was injured but with no Schwarber in 2021, there will be more playing time available for both of them. Bote is a decent player to have hitting in the seven-hole.
Hitting behind guys like Bryant, Baez, Rizzo, and Contreras is nice but there isn’t as much protection behind him in this lineup. Despite it being a decent group if they are allowed to stay together, they aren’t as good as they were in previous years. Hopefully, Bote is able to take a step forward this season and help the Cubs score some runs.