The trade chatter around Nico Hoerner just won’t go away-but if the Cubs are serious about contending in 2026, they’d be wise to tune out the noise.
Let’s start with a stat that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention: Hoerner led all of Major League Baseball in batting average against left-handed pitching last season, hitting a scorching .369. That’s not just impressive-that’s elite.
In a league where platoon matchups are constantly exploited and lefties can neutralize lineups, Hoerner was the guy who flipped the script. He didn’t just hold his own-he dominated.
But somehow, despite that production-and the fact that he’s coming off another Gold Glove season at second base-Hoerner’s name keeps popping up in trade rumors. Why?
Well, it all traces back to the Cubs’ recent splash: a $175 million deal with Alex Bregman. While Bregman is expected to take over at third base (likely replacing Matt Shaw), his contract pushes the Cubs' payroll right up against-or slightly over-the first tier of the competitive balance tax threshold, which sits at $244 million.
That’s where the speculation comes in. Hoerner is on the final year of his deal, set to make $11.5 million in 2026.
For a team that’s been careful to stay under the tax line in recent years, moving that salary might seem like an easy way to trim the books. But here’s the thing: trading Nico Hoerner would be a mistake.
A big one.
This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. Hoerner is one of the few remaining links to the Cubs’ previous era-one that saw a World Series title and a complete teardown not long after.
Alongside Ian Happ, he’s one of the longest-tenured players in the clubhouse. He’s been through the highs, the lows, and now, the rebuild.
He’s not just a contributor-he’s a leader.
And on the field? He’s been nothing short of outstanding.
He didn’t just crush lefties-he led all MLB second basemen in fWAR last season. He struck out less than 99 percent of the league, won his second Gold Glove, and came within striking distance of the NL batting title, finishing with a .297 average.
The only thing missing from his game is home run power-and even without that, he’s still one of the most complete players at his position.
The Cubs just made a major statement by signing Bregman. That move signaled that they’re ready to win now.
Trading Hoerner would send the opposite message. It would undercut the momentum they’ve built this offseason and raise questions about how committed they really are to competing in 2026.
Let’s also not forget: the Cubs are one of the league’s revenue giants. They can afford to go over the tax line if it means keeping a core piece like Hoerner. And with several contracts coming off the books next winter, they’ll have more flexibility down the line.
So instead of shopping Hoerner, the Cubs should be doing everything they can to lock him up. He’s 28, in his prime, and exactly the kind of player you want anchoring your infield for the rest of the decade. A team that’s serious about building a contender doesn’t trade away guys like Nico Hoerner-it builds around them.