The Cubs came out of the Winter Meetings with a lot of buzz around free agency, but not much movement on the extension front - and that’s worth watching. Jed Hoyer made it clear earlier this offseason that locking in key pieces would be a priority, but so far, it’s been quiet on that front.
That doesn’t mean the door’s closed. There’s still plenty of time before Opening Day, and with a looming wave of potential free agents in 2027, the Cubs have some serious decisions to make.
Let’s break it down: by the time we get to that 2027 offseason, a huge chunk of the current core could be hitting the open market - Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and others. That’s not just a few pieces; that’s the backbone of the roster.
Losing that much talent in one swoop would be a massive hit to any team trying to stay competitive, especially one trying to build sustainable success. The Cubs have cap space opening up and no shortage of reasons to start locking guys in now.
It’s not just about the veterans, either. The Cubs have a couple of rising stars who are on the verge of becoming long-term building blocks - and extending them now could give the front office some much-needed cost certainty down the line. So, before the calendar flips to 2026, let’s look at two players the Cubs should be extending now, and one who’s better suited for a “wait and see” approach.
✅ Extend: Nico Hoerner
Let’s start with the obvious. If there were still any lingering debates about whether Nico Hoerner should be part of the Cubs’ long-term plans, his 2025 season probably put those to rest.
The guy was a rock. He slashed .297/.345/.394 with a 109 wRC+, played elite defense (17 defensive runs saved, 14 outs above average), and posted a career-best 4.8 fWAR.
Oh, and he added another Gold Glove to his collection. At 28, Hoerner is smack in the middle of his prime, and if he hit the market today, he’d command serious attention - especially given how thin the middle infield market is.
But this isn’t just about numbers. Hoerner became a clubhouse leader in 2025.
With the Cubs pushing for their first full-season playoff berth since 2018, he stepped up emotionally and vocally. He’s one of the few remaining homegrown players from the post-2016 era, and he’s embraced the responsibility that comes with that.
Teammates respect him. Fans love him.
And if the Cubs were to let him walk, it would sting - a lot like it did when Kyle Schwarber left and kept mashing elsewhere.
The time to extend Hoerner is now. Waiting only increases the price tag - or worse, opens the door to losing him entirely.
He’s the kind of player who helps define a team’s identity, both on the field and in the clubhouse. Locking him in sends a clear message: this is a team that values winning culture and consistency.
✅ Extend: Cade Horton
Cubs fans have been waiting a long time to see a homegrown ace emerge from the farm system, and Cade Horton might finally be that guy. Outside of Justin Steele, Chicago’s track record with developing top-tier starting pitching hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. But Horton’s rookie season changed the narrative in a hurry.
Thrown into the fire due to injuries, Horton didn’t just survive - he thrived. Over a career-high 118 innings, he posted a 2.67 ERA and a 3.58 FIP, flashing the kind of stuff that drew comparisons to Jake Arrieta’s 2015 run. He was dominant down the stretch, reliable when the team needed him most, and ultimately finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.
That second-place finish also gave him a full year of service time, which means he’s now one year closer to free agency. That’s a big deal.
If the Cubs want to keep him around for the long haul, now’s the time to act. Yes, there’s always some risk with young pitchers - Horton has had past injury concerns, and the physical toll of a full MLB season is no joke - but the upside here is too big to ignore.
Chicago’s farm system doesn’t have a deep pool of high-end arms right now. Outside of Jaxon Wiggins, there’s not a ton of near-ready talent waiting in the wings.
That makes Horton even more valuable - not just for what he brings now, but for what he represents moving forward. An extension wouldn’t just be about locking in a potential ace; it would be a step toward stabilizing a rotation that’s been in flux for years.
⛔ Avoid (for now): Matt Shaw
Let’s be clear - Matt Shaw had a promising rookie season. He didn’t come out of the gate blazing, but by the second half, he found his stride.
After a slow start (.226/.295/.394, 93 wRC+), Shaw turned it on down the stretch, posting a .258/.317/.522 line with a 130 wRC+ in the second half. That’s a major leap, and it earned him some well-deserved attention.
Add in 12 defensive runs saved and a Gold Glove nomination at third base, and you’ve got the makings of a well-rounded contributor.
But here’s the thing: it’s still early. Shaw just wrapped up his first season, and while there’s a lot to like, there’s also a lot we still don’t know.
Is the second-half surge sustainable? Can he maintain that level of production over a full season?
These are the questions that need answers before the Cubs commit long-term.
There’s also the roster flexibility factor. If the Cubs were to make a big move - say, acquiring a player like Alex Bregman and extending Hoerner - Shaw could suddenly become a valuable trade chip.
He’s young, talented, and under control, which makes him exactly the kind of player other teams would covet in a blockbuster deal. That’s not to say the Cubs should trade him, but it’s worth keeping the option open.
Down the line, if Shaw keeps progressing, an extension could absolutely be on the table. But for now, the smart play is patience. Let’s see how Year 2 unfolds before locking into anything long-term.
Bottom Line
The Cubs are at a crossroads. They’ve got a mix of proven veterans, rising stars, and looming contract decisions that will shape the next era of baseball on the North Side.
Extending Nico Hoerner and Cade Horton would be strong, strategic moves - the kind that signal stability and a commitment to winning. As for Matt Shaw, the potential is there, but the timing isn’t quite right.
The Cubs have some big calls to make this winter. These three players are a good place to start.