Nico Hoerner might not be the flashiest name on the Cubs’ roster, but make no mistake - he’s one of the most essential. As he enters the final year of his contract, the 28-year-old second baseman stands at a bit of a crossroads.
The Cubs would like to keep him, and the odds lean slightly in favor of that happening. But with so many moving parts in the front office and across the roster, nothing is guaranteed.
What is guaranteed? Hoerner’s value on the field.
He’s a two-time Gold Glove winner, a contact-first hitter who can flirt with a .300 average, and a player whose leadership in the clubhouse is as steady as his glove in the field. He’s the kind of guy who could’ve thrived in any era of baseball - not because he hits tape-measure shots or racks up highlight-reel plays, but because he plays the game the right way.
Smart, tough, consistent. A gamer in every sense of the word.
That consistency has made him something of a quiet cornerstone in Chicago. And yet, there’s a sense that he’s still underappreciated - not just by fans outside of Wrigleyville, but maybe even by the broader baseball world.
Despite racking up 21.8 career bWAR (20 fWAR) over seven seasons - including two standout years of 6.2 and 5.5 bWAR - Hoerner has never made an All-Star team. For a player who brings elite defense, strong baserunning, and a high-contact bat to the table, that’s hard to justify.
The Cubs, to their credit, know what they’ve got. They’re reportedly setting a high asking price in any trade talks involving Hoerner - and rightly so.
He’s not a power hitter, but he brings elite bat-to-ball skills and a level of reliability that’s rare in today’s game. He’s the kind of player you build around, not move on from lightly.
There’s been some chatter among fans about shifting Dansby Swanson - who was profiled previously - and moving Hoerner back to shortstop, his original position, while bringing in someone like Matt Shaw to handle second. That’s a fun hypothetical, but not one that feels especially likely. Swanson’s glove is elite at short, and while Hoerner could certainly handle the position, the Cubs seem content with the current alignment.
Still, that doesn’t mean Hoerner’s future is set in stone. If the front office tightens the budget heading into 2027, or if someone like Shaw forces the issue with a breakout, the Cubs may have a tough decision to make.
But it’s going to take a serious performance to unseat Hoerner. He’s not going to give up his spot without a fight - and honestly, he might not have to.
Right now, the Cubs’ infield is one of the best in baseball - not just defensively, but potentially at the plate as well. Swanson, Hoerner, Alex Bregman, and Michael Busch form a group that can lock down the dirt and produce at the plate. Three of those four are 20+ homer threats, and Hoerner, while not a slugger, brings balance with his ability to get on base and set the table.
He’s expected to lead off against lefties, which could help boost his OBP and run totals - and in turn, help the Cubs’ offense keep humming. It’s not hard to imagine him continuing to produce at this level well into his 30s.
Maybe he adds a little more pop as he ages. Maybe he sacrifices a step on the bases.
But the instincts, the glove, the approach? Those aren’t going anywhere.
Nico Hoerner isn’t just a glue guy. He’s a foundational piece. And if the Cubs are serious about contending in the years to come, keeping him in Chicago should be near the top of their to-do list.