The Chicago Cubs’ reported interest in Bo Bichette looks less like a random check-in and more like a signal that their infield is not as locked-in as it seemed a month ago.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Cubs are one of the teams that have checked in on Bichette. In the next sentence, he noted that Chicago is also listening to offers on second baseman Nico Hoerner. Put those two notes together and it reads like the Cubs are doing something specific: testing whether they can turn an elite glove-and-run profile into a different kind of offense, without waiting for the market to force their hand.
That urgency makes sense because the Cubs are staring at an obvious lineup problem. Kyle Tucker has hit free agency, and replacing that production is not a small task. If Chicago is going to stay in the NL Central race, it needs a real middle-of-the-order answer, not just depth and vibes. (Sorry. I said it so you don’t have to.)
Bichette would qualify as that kind of add. In 2025, he hit.311/.357/.483 with an.840 OPS, good for a 134 wRC+ and 4.0 WAR. His strikeout rate stayed manageable (14.5%) while he continued to do damage on contact (24 doubles,.172 ISO). Even with the usual defensive questions that follow him, his bat is the selling point, and it plays in any park.
Hoerner is almost the opposite player, which is why the rumor pairing is interesting. He was valuable again in 2025, hitting.297/.345/.394 with a 109 wRC+ and 4.8 WAR while playing premium defense up the middle and taking his usual share of tough matchups. He is also under contract through 2026 on the extension he signed in 2023, which means the Cubs control the timing and can afford to be picky. MLB Trade Rumors reported in December that Hoerner is drawing trade interest, but also noted it would be surprising if Chicago actually moved him.
Still, this is how real offseason pivots start. A team loses a star bat to free agency, then quietly asks itself whether it can trade from its strengths to replace what just walked out the door.
