Red Sox predicted to target Cubs' Nico Hoerner after losing Alex Bregman

Conor Liguori

•
Red Sox predicted to target Cubs' Nico Hoerner after losing Alex Bregman image

After Alex Bregman signed a five-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox could use an extra addition to their lineup. 

As currently constructed, Marcelo Mayer is projected to play third base for the Red Sox, with Romy Gonzalez at second. 

But Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter suggests Boston could target a trade for one of the Cubs' emerging stars. 

"A reunion with Alex Bregman was long viewed as a foregone conclusion, and with that now off the table after he signed with the Cubs, it's time to pivot," Reuter wrote Tuesday.

"Bo Bichette to play second or Eugenio Suárez to play third are potential free agency plays, but Nico Hoerner would give them an elite defensive second baseman and table-setting offensive player to slot near the top of the batting order." 

What it might take for the Red Sox to land Hoerner in a trade 

Last season, Hoerner completed his seventh year with the Cubs, posting a career high 6.2 bWAR while hitting.297/.345/.394 with 29 stolen bases in 35 attempts. 

Hoerner is reportedly highly desired by several MLB clubs, but the Red Sox might have a starting pitcher who could pique the interest of the Cubs. 

"Connelly Early is a steep price to pay for a free-agent-to-be, but Hoerner is also coming off a 6.2-WAR season," wrote Reuter. 

Early, a 23-year-old left-hander, showed moxie and promise during his first 19.1 regular-season innings with the Red Sox. He had a 2.33 ERA and 29 strikeouts in four starts, and received the start for Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees. 

Boston's depth chart on FanGraphs lists Early outside the top five in the rotation, but that's not to say that unexpected injuries are a frequent occurrence for starters. Would adding Hoerner make up for lessening the Red Sox' pitching depth? 

More MLB news:

Staff Writer