Why the Cubs Should Lock in Nico Hoerner for the Long Haul

Unless a team comes knocking with a jaw-dropping offer, don’t expect the Chicago Cubs to move Nico Hoerner anytime soon. And frankly, they shouldn’t. The two-time Gold Glove winner is heading into the final season of the three-year, $35 million extension he signed back in March 2023, and he’s done more than enough to warrant serious consideration for another long-term deal from Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ front office.

Hoerner’s 2025 campaign was the best of his career – and it wasn’t particularly close. He nearly took home the National League batting title, finishing the season with a .297 average and pushing the race down to the final weekend.

But it wasn’t just the batting average that stood out. Hoerner led all second basemen in Major League Baseball with 4.8 fWAR, a number driven by elite contact skills and top-tier defense.

This isn’t a guy you’re going to keep around for $11 million a year anymore. Hoerner has evolved into one of the premier players at his position, and his skill set brings a unique balance to the Cubs’ lineup – a contact-first approach in an era dominated by strikeouts and slugging. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just fill a role – he elevates the entire infield.

So what would it take to keep him in Chicago beyond 2026? A fair offer could look something like this: six years, $110 million, with a partial no-trade clause.

That’s not a discount. Let’s be clear.

But it’s the kind of deal that reflects Hoerner’s value – both on paper and in the clubhouse. On the open market, he’d have no shortage of suitors.

He’s not only a two-time Gold Glove second baseman, but he’s also proven he can handle shortstop duties if needed. That kind of defensive versatility is gold in today’s game, and teams would line up to pay for it.

A six-year deal would take Hoerner through his age-34 season, with an average annual value of $18.33 million. That’s a manageable number for a team like the Cubs, especially when you consider the uncertainty looming after 2026.

Several key players – including Hoerner, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki – are set to hit free agency after this season. Locking in one of the team’s foundational pieces now would provide some much-needed stability in an otherwise cloudy future.

And when it comes to long-term performance, Hoerner’s profile offers reasons for optimism. His offensive game isn’t built on raw bat speed or power – two traits that often fade with age.

Instead, he thrives on elite plate discipline, contact ability, and a smart approach at the plate. Last year, he finished near the top of the league in both Whiff% and strikeout rate, despite ranking in the bottom eight percent in bat speed.

That tells you everything you need to know about how he gets it done – and why it’s sustainable.

He’s never going to be a 30-homer guy, and that’s fine. What he brings to the table – high contact, great defense, and leadership – is just as valuable, especially for a team looking to build a cohesive, fundamentally sound roster. Even if he loses a step defensively toward the end of the deal, he still projects as an above-average second baseman – the kind of player you want on your roster deep into a postseason run.

Now, the one wrinkle in all of this? The Cubs’ internal pipeline.

If the front office views Matt Shaw as Hoerner’s eventual replacement, they may be hesitant to commit nine figures to a player at the same position. That’s a fair consideration.

But it’s also a gamble – and one that could backfire if Shaw doesn’t develop as expected.

Hoerner brings more than just numbers. He’s a tone-setter, a steady presence, and a player who’s helped shape the Cubs’ identity over the past few seasons. Letting him walk after 2026 would be a step backward for a team that’s trying to build something sustainable.

Forget the trade rumors. This isn’t a player you dangle at the deadline – he’s one you build around. And if the Cubs are serious about contending in the years to come, extending Nico Hoerner should be near the top of their to-do list.