With spring training right around the corner, the trade chatter around Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner is starting to quiet down - at least for now. One of the more persistent potential suitors, the San Francisco Giants, just addressed their infield need by signing Luis Arraez to a one-year, $12 million deal. That move effectively takes them out of the running for Hoerner, who had been loosely linked to San Francisco throughout the offseason.
That leaves the Boston Red Sox as the last team standing in the Hoerner rumor mill. Boston still has a glaring hole at second base and has been connected not only to Hoerner but also to Cubs infield prospect Matt Shaw.
But with no deal appearing close and pitchers and catchers set to report in just over a week, the clock is ticking. And the Cubs?
They might be leaning toward a different kind of move - one that keeps Hoerner in Chicago for the long haul.
Let’s be clear: Hoerner isn’t just a solid contributor - he’s one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball. His glove is elite, his instincts are sharp, and he brings a level of consistency that’s hard to find at the position.
Offensively, he’s no slouch either. He nearly captured the National League batting title last year, thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and disciplined approach at the plate.
And then there’s the clubhouse presence. Hoerner, now 28, is entering the final season of the three-year, $35 million extension he signed prior to the 2023 campaign.
Over his seven seasons in Chicago, he’s become more than just a reliable player - he’s become a foundational figure. Just ask his double-play partner, Dansby Swanson.
“Jed’s got so much love and respect for Nico,” Swanson said in January. “Nico means the world to me and to this team; who he is as a person, he brings the same type of energy and competitive spirit that Alex does. He’s somebody that’s just a darn good player, really good winner and irreplaceable, really.”
Swanson doesn’t toss words like “irreplaceable” around lightly. But in Hoerner’s case, it fits.
He’s a former first-round pick who’s developed into a leader - the kind of player who sets the tone both on the field and in the dugout. He’s not flashy, but he’s the heartbeat of a team that’s trying to take the next step in the National League.
So while Boston might still be circling, hoping for a late swing at a trade, the more logical path for the Cubs might be locking Hoerner up again. Another extension would not only reward a player who’s earned it, but it would also send a message: this team is building something sustainable, and Hoerner is a key part of that vision.
Unless the Red Sox make a bold, last-minute push, it looks like Hoerner will be back at second base for the Cubs when the 2026 season opens. Whether that’s the final act of his time in Chicago or just another chapter in what’s already been a meaningful run - that’s the storyline to watch.
Because players like Hoerner don’t come around often. And when you’ve got one, you don’t let him walk without a fight.