The Nico Hoerner trade chatter isn’t going anywhere until Cubs fans see him in the lineup on Opening Day against the Nationals. Until then, the speculation will hum in the background-because when a player’s entering his walk year and the team’s aiming for a deep run, the stakes are just that high.

Make no mistake: the Cubs are in win-now mode. All signs point to them going over the luxury tax threshold in 2026, a clear signal that they’re pushing their chips in.

And Hoerner, with his elite defense, contact bat, and versatility up the middle, is a key piece of that puzzle. But as any front office will tell you, they’ll always listen-especially when a player is nearing free agency.

So what would it actually take for the Cubs to move Hoerner? According to reports, think back to the blockbuster deal the Cubs made for Kyle Tucker last offseason.

That trade cost them a haul: Isaac Paredes, an All-Star third baseman with three more years of control; Cam Smith, their top prospect; and Hayden Wesneski, a young, controllable arm. That’s the kind of return it would take to pry Hoerner away-something massive, something that makes the Cubs stop and think.

And there’s no shortage of suitors. The Giants, Yankees, and Mariners have all checked in on Hoerner this offseason.

And with Alex Bregman now in Chicago, the Red Sox-still looking for infield help-could be another team to watch. But even if the Cubs get multiple teams into a bidding war, it’s hard to imagine anyone matching the kind of package they gave up for Tucker.

Why? Because Hoerner, for all his value, doesn’t bring the kind of power that typically drives up trade returns.

He’s a contact-first hitter, a defensive anchor, a spark plug on the bases-but he’s not going to hit 30 homers. That limits how far teams are willing to go, especially when they’re only getting one year of control.

Which brings us to the most logical path forward: an extension.

It won’t be easy. Hoerner is set to hit free agency after the season, and with a relatively thin free-agent class next winter, he could be in a strong position to cash in-especially if he markets himself as a shortstop. But the Cubs’ payroll clears up after this year, and among their potential free agents, Hoerner might be the most affordable to keep.

If the Cubs believe in their 2026 outlook-and all signs suggest they do-then keeping Hoerner in the fold, whether through the season or beyond, is a move that aligns with their win-now mindset. He’s not just a solid contributor; he’s part of the identity of this team. And unless someone comes in with a blockbuster offer that mirrors the Tucker deal, expect him to be wearing Cubbie blue when the season opens.