AL Central
Kansas City Royals
For a franchise searching for long-term identity and stability, the Chicago Cubs already have one of their most valuable pieces in-house, and his name is Nico Hoerner. As trade speculation inevitably ramps up ahead of the 2026 season, the Cubs would be wise to resist the temptation to move one of the most reliable, versatile, and quietly impactful players on their roster – especially if what is rumored to be the ask is valid.
Hoerner may not dominate headlines the way a 40-homer slugger does, but his value to winning baseball games runs far deeper than box-score flash. We’ve seen him win several important division games with his defensive ability alone.
Elite Defense Is Still a Championship Currency, Especially In NL Central
Nico Hoerner remains one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, regardless of position. The hardware speaks for itself. His ability to seamlessly move between second base, shortstop, (yes, we know he hasn’t played there much with Dansby on the team, but he could,) and even the outfield gives the Cubs something every contender craves: defensive flexibility without dropoff.
In an era where run prevention often separates playoff teams from pretenders, Hoerner’s range, instincts, and consistency save runs that don’t always show up in WAR totals but absolutely swing close games, as mentioned, especially in the always-tight NL Central race. Trading him would mean either replacing that value externally, at a premium, or hoping an unproven player can replicate it.
That’s a risky bet, especially knowing the Chicago Cubs Farm System is trending the wrong way, which is a good indication of the current team being good. The only other prospect in the top 5 (per Pipeline) is Jefferson Rojas, whom is a 2B/SS by design but is only in AA and offensively…not exactly promising in 2025.
Durability and Reliability Matter More Than Ever
While many teams cycle through volatile, injury-prone talent, or opt to go younger, Hoerner has quietly become one of the Cubs’ most dependable everyday players. He posts his innings, takes professional at-bats, and rarely looks overwhelmed regardless of matchup.
For a Cubs roster still blending youth and veterans, Hoerner’s dependability is nothing short of an anchor, especially in the middle of the diamond, where mistakes are magnified, even if he has another gold glover next to him playing short.
Championship teams aren’t built solely on upside. They’re built on certainty, and Hoerner provides that nightly.
Leadership You Don’t Trade Away Lightly
In 2026, Hoerner won’t just be a productive player… he’s a clubhouse pillar. Homegrown, respected, and consistently prepared, he embodies the type of culture the Cubs have tried to reestablish since their post-World Series reset and losing that incredible core that became more like a 26 man family.
Trading that presence sends a dangerous message to younger players, in our opinion, performance and professionalism aren’t enough to secure your place long term, nor is your reasonable contract. I just don’t think that’s means to building a competitive team consistently, no matter the market.
For a franchise that values continuity, that matters. For a franchise that seems to not care much about fan’s emotional wellbeing…that matters.
The Trade Value Trap
Yes, Hoerner would fetch real interest on the trade market, he already has, and is exactly why trading him could backfire. Deals centered around “selling high” often ignore what’s being lost in exchange.. certainty, chemistry, and a known commodity.
Prospects come with risk. Hoerner does not.
Unless a trade offer clearly improves the Cubs’ major-league roster immediately, moving him would be more about asset shuffling than actual progress. We can all agree that Matt Shaw is prepared to play in the big leagues daily, but is his bat good enough to give up Nico Hoerner’s currently and still expect to compete in the NL Central? I find it hard to believe. So, Jed Hoyer, don’t go trading Nico… if somehow the Cubs are out of it in July, which there is no chance of that happening, or if Matt Shaw picks up nicely offensively, which also doesn’t feel like a guarantee… Nico should remain on the team for 2026, even if he is a free agent next year. The Qualifying Offer would be a good fallback option.
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