One of the things Cubs President Jed Hoyer said that I thought was particularly important to call out from today’s press conference had to do with the plans for Michael Busch in 2025. Some fans, I think, had gotten a little too hopeful after the Kyle Tucker trade, and started looking back at Busch’s historical stats: Oh, hey, this guy has played a lot of third base and second base in the past, so why don’t the Cubs just put him at third base and keep Cody Bellinger at first base!? Maximum lineup!
While the Cubs may not hate any leverage that could preserve in Bellinger trade talks, Hoyer was not taking the bait today when asked about the possibility of moving Busch to third after the Tucker trade.
Hoyer was quite clear that the Cubs see Busch as their first baseman, and a very good one at that. In fact, Hoyer described Busch as a Gold-Glove-caliber first baseman, particularly after he adjusted to the relatively new position (the numbers back that assertion up, too). Hoyer made sure to note that, yes, Busch can move around a little bit, and that has some value. But it was clear that Hoyer and the Cubs aren’t viewing Busch as a utility candidate or third base candidate or even second base candidate.
As much as we might like the Cubs to figure out the offense that way, it was already known at the time of the trade to the Cubs that the Dodgers did not see Busch as playable long-term at third base, and if they’d seen him as a long-term second baseman, they may not have traded him in the first place. In a pinch, he can play in those spots, as he did last year, but Michael Busch is the Cubs’ first baseman for 2025, full stop.
Further evidence? When Hoyer was asked about Matt Shaw, he said that the plan was for Shaw to get a “long look” at third base. He would still have to win the job, Hoyer said, but it was clear they would like that opportunity to be there. The team might bring in some veteran competition/support/depth there, but the way Hoyer talked about Shaw and third base made all the more clear that there is no consideration being given to Busch moving across the diamond.
Busch is the first baseman. Shaw might win the third base job. Bellinger is clearly on the block.
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