The Chicago Cubs, even with just days to go until pitchers and catchers report to Arizona, still have some roster intrigue boiling over.
Notably, there’s a question mark at third base, which may or may not be addressed with the addition of free agent Alex Bregman. Then, there’s second base, which may become a battle zone as incoming rookie Matt Shaw, currently slated for third base on a Bregman-less Cubs team, will vie for the spot currently held by Nico Hoerner if the Astro is brought aboard.
If/when Bregman does become a Cub, it’ll almost guarantee that Hoerner will be traded in order to make room for top prospect, Shaw.
Nico Hoerner To The Yankees?
For awhile now, the New York Yankees have been a rumored landing spot for the underrated second baseman.
Zach Pressnell of Fansided recently proposed a trade between the Cubs and the Yankees that would seem to make sense for both teams under the right conditions. In the deal, the Yankees acquire Hoerner. In return, Chicago would receive pitching prospect Brock Selvidge (the no.7 prospect in the Yankees’ organization) and infield prospect Jorbit Vivas (the Yankees’ no. 17 prospect).
What Does Each Side Get?
Selvidge is a 22-year-old left-hander who will be making his Triple-A debut this coming season. Vivas is a 23-year-old bat-first second baseman/third baseman coming off a down 2024 and, possibly, in need of a change of scenery.
Hoerner, meanwhile, is an established presence with a consistent body of work.
The 27-year-old is a Gold Glove second baseman and one of the league’s top contact hitters. He’s also an aggressive presence who can steal bases. He plays a solid shortstop as well. He underwent flexor tendon surgery on his right forearm in October, but is expected to fully recover, although it’s questionable whether he’ll be ready to play by the start of the season.
Per Pressnell:
“The New York Yankees lost infielder Gleyber Torres earlier this offseason and they haven’t effectively replaced him just yet. New York has been connected to a plethora of different potential infielders, but none of them have come to fruition and free agency is pretty dry at this point in the offseason. It’ll be difficult for the Bronx Bombers to find a potential starter without diving into the trade market…
This deal ultimately pushes both teams in the direction they want to go in. It would have to be made if and when the Cubs have a deal in place to acquire Bregman. Chicago likely won’t trade Hoerner without Bregman coming to the Windy City.”
The trade, as mentioned above, would probably only come about if the Cubs were to acquire Bregman. However, Hoerner has reportedly been shopped around elsewhere this offseason. He’s considered one of the few expendable pieces on the Cubs roster, as Shaw and fellow prospect James Triantos comprise a capable duo of second basemen waiting for their major league opportunities, without Hoerner’s $11.5 million price tag.
The Chicago Cubs Are Otherwise All Set For 2025
Excluding third base and possibly second, everything else on the Cubs roster has pretty much been settled.
With the addition of former Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly and, most recently, the acquisition of Los Angeles Dodgers relief asset Ryan Brasier, it would appear that the team has their bullpen desires quenched.
There’s still some buzz about the possibility of adding another high-end arm for the starting rotation, notably via trade with the San Diego Padres for Dylan Cease, but it’s most likely that the Cubs are also done pursuing starters.
Earlier in the offseason, the team addressed their need for an impact presence by trading for Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker. They even picked up needed insurance at catcher via free agent Carson Kelly.
The Cubs appear to be set for the most part, with the addition of Bregman likely to put in motion the subtraction of Hoerner.
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