As the Cubs embark on a new campaign with a new manager (Craig Counsell) at the helm, we answer 24 of the most pressing questions for the 2024 season.

MESA, Ariz. — With Cody Bellinger back in the fold, the Cubs’ starting lineup is pretty much set.

Bellinger projects to be the team’s starting center fielder but he can also play first base. Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are locked into right and left field, respectively. Same for Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson at second base and shortstop.

The Cubs are having Christopher Morel work at third base and new addition Michael Busch will be at first base. Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya will split catching duties.

In terms of the starting lineup, that leaves the DH position open on most days.

So who will serve as the Cubs’ designated hitter in 2024?

The long answer has some nuance to it but the short answer is: A rotating group of players.

“It’s a spot I’ve thought the least about and I think that probably means it’s gonna be a bunch of guys,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And to keep it open means we can slide wherever this thing ends up at as we start the season — who’s getting those at-bats.

“Right now, I’m viewing it as really open and very uncommitted there. I think we have some non-roster guys in camp that could factor into that as well. It’s kinda wide open right now for that reason.”

The non-roster players Counsell mentioned in camp are a trio of veterans on minor-league deals: David Peralta, Garrett Cooper and Dominic Smith. Veteran catcher Jorge Alfaro could potentially factor into that mix as well.

Smith and Cooper made their Cactus League debuts Monday against the Padres. Smith doubled and singled and made a couple of nice plays at first base including a scoop on a short-hop and a hustle play on a grounder to beat the runner. Cooper also doubled, driving home the Cubs’ only run.

Cooper signed a minor-league deal over the weekend while Smith (hamate bone surgery) and Peralta (elbow/forearm) are in various stages of recovery from injury. Peralta is targeting sometime in the next week or so to get into a spring game for the first time.

Peralta, 36, has spent 10 years in the big leagues with the Diamondbacks, Rays and Dodgers. He won a Silver Slugger in 2018 and a Gold Glove Award in 2019.

The veteran outfielder has struggled against lefties in his career but he boasts a .289/.343/.474 slash line (.817 OPS) against right-handers in his career. It is unknown if he will be ready for Opening Day.

Smith has 7 big-league years under his belt but he is still only 28 years old. He was a 1st-round pick (11th overall) by the Mets in 2013 and was ranked as high as the No. 51 prospect in the game by MLB Pipeline prior to 2016.

In New York, he was blocked by one of the best first basemen in the game — Pete Alonso. The Mets found ways to get Smith in the lineup and during the shortened 2020 season, he earned MVP votes with a .316/.377/.616 slash line (.993 OPS).

He has performed slightly better against righties throughout his career but his splits are pretty neutral overall.

The Cubs spent the winter searching for more left-handed hitters in a righty-heavy lineup and both Peralta and Smith fit the bill. Cooper represents another right-handed power bat alongside Patrick Wisdom to play matchups.

The trick with the non-roster players is how the Cubs find room for them on the 40-man roster. There are no easy choices there for the Cubs to part ways with. To make room for Bellinger last week, they ended up making a trade with the White Sox, dealing away left-handed reliever Bailey Horn.

As for the players already on the roster that could factor into the DH mix, the Cubs have a few options. Wisdom could play there in the right matchup.

If Bellinger, Suzuki and Happ are all playing the outfield, Mike Tauchman could certainly be a DH option. Since Tauchman can play all three outfield positions, he could also spell one of those other players and give them a half-day off at DH.

Counsell could also opt for defense at third base, deploying Nick Madrigal at the hot corner and moving Morel to DH, where he spent much of the 2023 season.

Young players like Matt Mervis and Alexander Canario might also factor into the equation.

Ultimately, the Cubs have a lot of different paths they can take with the DH spot. In the end, Counsell will likely use it as a rotating spot, maximizing the roster and playing the best matchups.

“Those are decisions to me that clear themselves up,” Counsell said. “I don’t like to spend a lot of time on them because I feel like they clear themselves up as the days go by.”

24 for ’24 series

What are the Cubs expecting from Kyle Hendricks in 2024 and beyond?
What role will Drew Smyly fill on the 2024 Cubs?
How will Jameson Taillon fare in Year 2 with Cubs?
How will Shota Imanaga handle the adjustment to MLB?
Who will DH for the Cubs?
Who is the Cubs’ fifth starter?
Will defense once again be the Cubs’ strength?
Can Seiya Suzuki pick up where he left off? 
What are the Cubs’ long-term plans at first base?
Have the Cubs done enough to address their left-handed hitting?
Will Justin Steele replicate his stellar 2023 season?