The Chicago Cubs have reason to look at the 2024 season as a disappointment.
After signing manager Craig Counsell away from the rival Milwaukee Brewers, acquiring budding ace Shota Imanaga and re-signing slugger Cody Bellinger, the team had hope of making a significant postseason run. Instead, they missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Now, the front office is left to figure out how to improve the roster over the offseason. And Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has identified the most likely member of that roster to get flipped in a trade, listing veteran second baseman Nico Hoerner as the only Cubs player among Major League Baseball’s “top potential trade chips” of the offseason.
“With infield prospects Matt Shaw and James Triantos knocking on the door after closing out the 2024 season at Triple-A, and shortstop Dansby Swanson and third baseman Isaac Paredes set to man the left side of the infield, the Chicago Cubs could trade from a position of strength this winter,” Reuter noted. “The Cubs won’t trade him just to trade him, but if the right offer comes along that provides MLB-ready talent at another area of need, there is a real possibility he could be on the move.”
The Cubs signed Hoerner to a three-year, $35 million contract extension in March 2023 and he’s owed $11.5 million for 2025 and another $12 million in 2026.
Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 this season, racking up 31 stolen bases in the process. That was a touch below his .278/.338/.381 career slash line, but he led the team in total hits and doubles in 2024.
That solid production and the fact that he earned a Gold Glove Award at shortstop last year suggests there could be a significant number of teams willing to trade for him. With the prospects Reuter mentioned waiting in the wings, the Cubs might find an opportunity to add some relief help or fortify another roster position by parting ways with Hoerner.
After falling short of expectations, the Cubs face some significant offseason questions. And Hoerner appears to be right in the middle of them.
“If Matt Shaw is almost ready, would it make sense to trade Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner?” Patrick Mooney asked for The Athletic. “How aggressive does ownership want to be this winter? And how patient can the Cubs afford to be with their young talent?”
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