CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 23: Nico Hoerner #2 of the Chicago Cubs returns to the dugout in the fourth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images)
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The Chicago Cubs have officially lost one of their best players from last season.
Earlier this week, news broke that the Cubs’ blockbuster trade acquisition from last year, Kyle Tucker, would be leaving for a high-dollar contract from the Los Angeles Dodgers. But before that, the Cubs had already seemed to bring in his replacement by signing veteran infielder Alex Bregman.
“The Cubs chased Bregman in free agency again this winter and signed him to a five-year, $175 million contract that became official on Wednesday, followed by Thursday’s introductory press conference at Wrigley Field,” Jordan Bastian wrote for MLB.com. “The question that lingers now in the wake of the signing is whether Bregman’s arrival makes second baseman Nico Hoerner or (Matt) Shaw a potential trade chip.”
Chicago Cubs Reportedly Listen On Trade Of Nico Hoerner
And in the wake of Bregman’s decision to join the Cubs, the reports of trade talks centered on Hoerner only continued.
“There are no indications that the Cubs are looking to move Hoerner, but other teams have come calling, and this organization won’t hang up when others ring,” Sahadev Sharma reported for The Athletic. “The Cubs will listen, and if they’re blown away, they may decide it’s the right thing to do.”
The potential of trading Hoerner out of what is suddenly a loaded Cubs infield also came up during Bregman’s introductory press conference, though Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer praised the veteran infielder in response.
On Friday, Hoerner himself was asked about the mounting trade rumors and reports during the team’s Cubs Convention fan festival.
“Nico Hoerner said today that the trade rumors are a product of him being a free agent after this season and not having a no-trade clause in the expiring extension he signed three years ago,” Marquee Sports Network’s Bruce Levine reported on X, formerly Twitter. “Neither he nor team president Jed Hoyer would discuss if extension talks have occurred.”
Chicago Cubs Put Matt Shaw In Tough Spot After Adding Alex Bregman
With spring training rapidly approaching, the Cubs seem increasingly likely to retain Hoerner even after adding Bregman to the infield. That could mean a move for Shaw to another team, into the outfield mix or back to the minors.
“Adding Bregman at third blocks Shaw from a regular role,” Darragh McDonald noted for MLB Trade Rumors. “Going into a part-time role and missing reps wouldn’t be ideal for the long term, especially if he’s to take over for Hoerner at second base a year from now.”
In any case, Hoerner seems to be taking the increasing buzz about the end of his tenure with the Cubs in stride.