The Chicago Cubs’ acquisition of three-time MVP Alex Bregman has reshaped their infield and may have placed Nick Hoerner back on the trade block.
With a surplus of middle-infield options and Hoerner entering the final year of his contract, Chicago appears increasingly open to moving on before the start of Spring Training. According to recent reports, that decision could send Hoerner back home to the Bay Area.
The San Francisco Giants have remained in talks with the Cubs about acquiring Hoerner, whose elite defense and consistent bat would provide immediate stability to their infield while adding a reliable on-base presence ahead of Rafael Devers in the lineup.
Could a Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw trade be in the works after Alex Bregman's reported five-year deal with the Cubs?#MLBNHotStove | @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/dI9x1XdiXr
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 12, 2026
Roster Moves Could Rebalance Cubs
Hoerner may have delivered his most valuable season with the Cubs in his seventh year in the league. The two-time Gold Glove second baseman posted a career-high 6.2 WAR while recording 178 hits and a.297 batting average, solidifying himself as one of the most dependable middle infielders in baseball.
Nico Hoerner’s last 4 seasons:
— AT (@YankeeWRLD) January 12, 2026
2022: 105 OPS+ | 20 SB | 4.3 fWAR
2023: 102 OPS+ | 43 SB | 4.5 fWAR
2024: 101 OPS+ | 31 SB | 3.9 fWAR
2025: 114 OPS+ | 29 SB | 4.8 fWAR
As consistent as they come. I need Hoerner at shortstop now pic.twitter.com/D8ci9BdVwH https://t.co/5d26Hwv9kw
That reliability, both offensively and defensively, has left parts of the Cubs organization and fan base hesitant to part ways with Hoerner, particularly as the team appears to be entering a World Series window following the signing of Bregman and the acquisition of high upside right-hander Edward Cabrera.
Still, questions remain about Chicago’s roster construction.
While the pairing of Cabrera and ace Justin Steele offers promise, it lags behind the elite National League rotations fielded by teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.
A trade with the Giants could help the Cubs address those shortcomings. Moving Hoerner would allow Chicago to replenish its farm system while also freeing up their payroll to bring in another reliable starter to make their rotation more formidable.
San Francisco, meanwhile, is coming off a season that fell well short of expectations. The Giants' season success had them believing they could contend in the National League and pushed their chips in by trading a significant package to acquire All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox.
Instead, the move marked a turning point in the wrong direction. San Francisco collapsed after the trade, posting the worst record in the league after the trade and ultimately missing the postseason entirely.
With a quiet offseason to date and mounting fan frustration, San Francisco may be willing to overpay for an elite second baseman, making Hoerner's value at an all-time high.