Cubs’ Nicoโค Hoernerโ Emerging โas a Cornerstone Player,Not a Trade Chip
CHICAGO – As theโ Cubs โnavigate a competitive National league landscape,discussions surrounding potential trades have inevitably surfaced. However,a moveโ involving second baseman Nico Hoerner would โคbe aโข significant misstep,argues a growing chorus ofโ analysts and fans alike. Despite being ranked 13th by Fangraphs WAR at 4.0, Hoerner’s consistent performance, โdefensive prowess, and cost-effective contract make himโ a โvitalโ asset theโ Cubs should prioritize โฃextending, not trading.
Hoerner’s journey to becoming a key contributorโ began unexpectedly. drafted 24th overall by the Cubs in 2018, โขhe received a call toโค the majors in September 2019 due โto shortstop โinjuries. He promptlyโค made an impact, going 3-for-5 with four RBI in his debut and โขhitting two home runs over his first six games, finishing the year with 0.3 bWAR in just 20 contests.
After a challenging 2020โ pandemic season and an โคinjury-hampered โ2021 (44 games played), Hoerner established himself asโ the Cubs’ full-time shortstop โinโข 2022, batting .281/.327/.410 with 10 home runs and accumulatingโฃ 4.2 โbWAR. The arrival of Dansby Swanson in โข2023 prompted a seamless transition to second base, where Hoernerโฃ excelled,โ winning his first Goldโ Gloveโ and achieving a 5.5โ bWAR season – seventh-best among National Leagueโ position players.
hoerner has continued โhis exceptional defensive play in 2024, coupled โwith improved offensive production. as the All-Star break, he’s batting โ.315/.367/.414 with three home runs and 10โข stolen bases in 48 games. He currently boasts 26 stolen bases in 31 attempts (83.8% success rate),on pace to reach 30 stolen basesโ for the third consecutive season – โขa feat accomplished by only two โplayers in Cubs franchise history: Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg (1985-87) and โKiki Cuyler (1928-30).
Beyond his on-field contributions,Hoerner represents significant โคvalue due to โฃhis contract. He is underโค team control throughโค 2025 at a salary of $12 million per year, a remarkably low figure for a player projected to finish the season with 6+ bWAR and likely anotherโฃ Gold Glove.
Rather than โคconsidering a trade, the Cubs should prioritize a long-term extension for Hoerner, solidifying a cornerstone player who consistently delivers both offensively and defensively. He is, unequivocally, โoneโค of the bestโค players in the league and aโฃ key โcomponent of the Cubs’ future success.