Cubs Receiving Trade Interest In Second Baseman Nico Hoerner

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Cuzi said:

I can see a world where they would prefer to move Hoerner, slide Shaw over to 2nd, and sign a 3B.

I really don't get the feeling they intend to offer Hoerner an extension. By moving him and getting a decent haul in return and signing a 3B like Bregman or Okamoto, you hope to have the infield pretty well set in stone for 4 years until Swanson is out. Thats probably pretty enticing to a team looking at a while horsefeathers ton of turnover for 2027.

I could see it too. The issue is getting a decent haul. What does that look like? One  year of Hoerner for the Giants doesn’t make sense for them to give up much. Not like Hoerner is going to lead them past the Dodgers.

[ToolDRT]

I think I’d rather just move Shaw for pitching. 

[Rcal10]

22 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

I think I’d rather just move Shaw for pitching. 

Honestly if Hoerner isn’t going to be here in ‘27 it does make more sense to trade him and then sign Bregman or Bichette. And then still have money for Imai. Maybe they fill the pen spot with who they get in the Hoerner trade. This is strictly a baseball decision, not political. They lock down the infield for at least 3 years. 

Edited December 18, 2025 by Rcal10

[Chicago Al]

22 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Honestly if Hoerner isn’t going to be here in ‘27 it does make more sense to trade him and then sign Bregman or Bichette. And then still have money for Imai. Maybe they fill the pen spot with who they get in the Hoerner trade. This is strictly a baseball decision, not political. They lock down the infield for at least 3 years. 

Do they trade Hoerner because they don’t want to extend him or to replenish the farm ? If it’s because of financial restraints (rolling eyes) then I can’t see them letting Hoerner go and then signing Bregman or Bichette. Both, I would assume cost more than extending Nico.

[ToolDRT]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Honestly if Hoerner isn’t going to be here in ‘27 it does make more sense to trade him and then sign Bregman or Bichette. And then still have money for Imai. Maybe they fill the pen spot with who they get in the Hoerner trade. This is strictly a baseball decision, not political. They lock down the infield for at least 3 years. 

Sorry, I meant I’d also look to extend Hoerner in that scenario where Shaw is traded for pitching. 

Edited December 18, 2025 by ToolDRT

[Rcal10]

9 hours ago, Chicago Al said:

Do they trade Hoerner because they don’t want to extend him or to replenish the farm ? If it’s because of financial restraints (rolling eyes) then I can’t see them letting Hoerner go and then signing Bregman or Bichette. Both, I would assume cost more than extending Nico.

Just to be clear, I would rather just extend Hoerner and not go after Bregman. I am just saying if they are serious about adding Bregman trading Hoerner would make more sense than trading Shaw. I don’t see them with a $30M 3rd baseman, a $27M SS and probably at $22M second baseman moving forward. I don’t really see a scenerio where trading Shaw makes any sense.
If they extend Hoerner, Shaw is fine at 3rd. If they don’t sign a 3rd baseman this off season and Nico does leave Shaw can play 2nd or 3rd. If they sign a 3rd baseman this off season Shaw can be the right handed bat off the bench who covers the infield and then move to second the following year. Keeping my personal views aside and speaking strictly from a baseball  POV Shaw is someone I would not trade. 

[Rcal10]

8 hours ago, ToolDRT said:

Sorry, I meant I’d also look to extend Hoerner in that scenario where Shaw is traded for pitching. 

I would rather extend Hoerner too. But I still wouldn’t trade Shaw. If you trade for a pitcher use Cassie or Ballestaros and add whatever else is needed.

[Geographyhater8888]

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I could see it too. The issue is getting a decent haul. What does that look like? One  year of Hoerner for the Giants doesn’t make sense for them to give up much. Not like Hoerner is going to lead them past the Dodgers.

There’s no Giants prospects that a team like the marlins or nationals would be interested in for Hoerner? A 3 way trade for Cabrera seems like an option considering they won’t sign both an expensive free agent third baseman and starting pitcher. 

Edited December 18, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[CubinNY]

Nico is worth more to the Cubs than he will fetch in a trade. Jed's built this team on pitching and defense.

[mul21]

32 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

There’s no Giants prospects that a team like the marlins or nationals would be interested in for Hoerner? A 3 way trade for Cabrera seems like an option considering they won’t sign both an expensive free agent third baseman and starting pitcher. 

There's been some smoke down here about the Cardinals trading Donovan or Burleson (I don't recall which) and Romero to the Giants for Eldridge, which seems light from the Cards.  No idea if that has legs or if t's something even reasonable, but the Giants are definitely after 2B help based on that.

[Cuzi]

1 hour ago, CubinNY said:

Nico is worth more to the Cubs than he will fetch in a trade. Jed's built this team on pitching and defense.

Not sure I agree with that. You only think about trading him if you have a 3rd baseman ready to sign. So assuming that is the case and Shaw is replacing Hoerner at 2B, then Hoerner is projected at 3.8 WAR and Shaw is projected at 2.9 WAR.

You don't think the Cubs can find more than 0.9 WAR in value to the MLB roster in a trade for Nico Hoerner?

[CubinNY]

19 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Not sure I agree with that. You only think about trading him if you have a 3rd baseman ready to sign. So assuming that is the case and Shaw is replacing Hoerner at 2B, then Hoerner is projected at 3.8 WAR and Shaw is projected at 2.9 WAR.

You don't think the Cubs can find more than 0.9 WAR in value to the MLB roster in a trade for Nico Hoerner?

assuming a lot. 

[ToolDRT]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

I would rather extend Hoerner too. But I still wouldn’t trade Shaw. If you trade for a pitcher use Cassie or Ballestaros and add whatever else is needed.

I think Shaw probably gets us more back in a trade though. It’s not a politics thing, his leg kick spooked me a bit this year and I want a controlled young pitcher to pair with Horton. 

[chibears55]

If Hoyer trades Hoerner, Bichette reportedly said he would be open to play 2B yesterday. 

He would likely be cheaper then Bregman if they can get him with a Swanson type offer of around 7/170.

I like Hoerner, but what you lose with the glove at 2B, you gain with the bat, especially power, and who knows maybe in a couple years if Rojas and or Hernandez is ready, they can move Bichette to 3B.

[Cuzi]

25 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

assuming a lot. 

I'm only assuming they need to have a 3B in hand before moving off of Hoerner. Our PoBO cares more about 2027, 28, 29, 30, etc... more than he does the current year. He only has Hoerner for this year.

I find it hard to believe that the Cubs cant get any of their players to agree to a FA extension. When teams like the Rays and Royals can get guys to sign career type contracts, I have to believe the Cubs just aren't engaging in those discussions with their players. They didn't do it with Contreras. They didn't do it with Tucker. I've heard nothing about talks with Hoerner, Happ, or Suzuki.

I can easily see a way Hoerner is worth significantly more in trade than on the roster in 2026 for the Cubs.

[Rcal10]

54 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Not sure I agree with that. You only think about trading him if you have a 3rd baseman ready to sign. So assuming that is the case and Shaw is replacing Hoerner at 2B, then Hoerner is projected at 3.8 WAR and Shaw is projected at 2.9 WAR.

You don't think the Cubs can find more than 0.9 WAR in value to the MLB roster in a trade for Nico Hoerner?

Couple of things, First the .9 WAR would have to be above the WAR the guy whose place the guy we got for Nico. Is taking. Then we have to replace rhe 2.9 WAR we lose with Shaw. And as someone else pointed out, this is provided players play to their projections. Personally think Hoerner will do more and not sure Shaw gets  to that number. 

[Cuzi]

Just now, Rcal10 said:

Couple of things, First the .9 WAR would have to be above the WAR the guy whose place the guy we got for Nico. Is taking. Then we have to replace rhe 2.9 WAR we lose with Shaw. And as someone else pointed out, this is provided players play to their projections. Personally think Hoerner will do more and not sure Shaw gets  to that number. 

We have like 6 open roster spots. No one is getting kicked out by the result of a trade besides the player being traded.

Projections are an evaluation of the player going forward and the evaluation says the Shaw isn't that much worse than Hoerner.

[Geographyhater8888]

34 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

If Hoyer trades Hoerner, Bichette reportedly said he would be open to play 2B yesterday. 

He would likely be cheaper then Bregman if they can get him with a Swanson type offer of around 7/170.

I like Hoerner, but what you lose with the glove at 2B, you gain with the bat, especially power, and who knows maybe in a couple years if Rojas and or Hernandez is ready, they can move Bichette to 3B.

Is Alcantara part of their long term plan in right field, trade piece or a fourth outfielder like Almora? It’s less concrete with him than Cassie or even Bellestaros. Their future plans are fuzzy.

Edited December 18, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[chopsx9]

15 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Couple of things, First the .9 WAR would have to be above the WAR the guy whose place the guy we got for Nico. Is taking. Then we have to replace rhe 2.9 WAR we lose with Shaw. And as someone else pointed out, this is provided players play to their projections. Personally think Hoerner will do more and not sure Shaw gets  to that number. 

.9 WAR is meaningless and certainly should not be used as the basis for making any meaningful decision.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, chopsx9 said:

.9 WAR is meaningless and certainly should not be used as the basis for making any meaningful decision.

Ok, but what does have to do with my post? Why quote me? 

[CubinNY]

2 hours ago, Cuzi said:

I'm only assuming they need to have a 3B in hand before moving off of Hoerner. Our PoBO cares more about 2027, 28, 29, 30, etc... more than he does the current year. He only has Hoerner for this year.

I find it hard to believe that the Cubs cant get any of their players to agree to a FA extension. When teams like the Rays and Royals can get guys to sign career type contracts, I have to believe the Cubs just aren't engaging in those discussions with their players. They didn't do it with Contreras. They didn't do it with Tucker. I've heard nothing about talks with Hoerner, Happ, or Suzuki.

I can easily see a way Hoerner is worth significantly more in trade than on the roster in 2026 for the Cubs.

The point is that they can't get a fair value in a trade for Nico because the things he does well are more valuable to the Cubs than they will be for most other teams. What kind of a return are they going to get for a singles hitter who plays Gold Glove 2nd base? Maybe if some team sees him as an SS. 

It would be hard to line up a trade. The 3rd base stuff is extrinsic to trading Nico. They don't need to trade him. 

[JunkyardWalrus]

So, what does the framework for

Sfg receive Hoerner

Chc receive Ketel Marte

AZ receives prospects from both?