You Won’t Believe Who the Cubs Just Extended… The Secret Behind This Home-Grown Star’s New Contract Is About to Blow Up the NL Central

In the grand scheme of things, the Chicago Cubs came out winners on Opening Day as the organization once again secured another one of their home-grown stars. A few days after agreeing to a long-term extension with Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jed Hoyer was able to agree on a six-year contract extension with Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner.

The Cubs now have their entire infield locked up through at least the 2029 season, and Hoerner joins Crow-Armstrong as the two linked stars who will be with the team through the 2032 season. Bleacher Nation’s Michael Cerami first broke the news of the Hoerner extension following Thursday’s season-opener at Wrigley Field against the Washington Nationals.

A tough-look 10-4 loss bummed out Cubs fans, but those feelings quickly turned to joy as news spread of Hoerner’s new contract. The infielder was set to become a free agent following the 2026 season, and because of a weak shortstop class there was a chance Hoerner would have signed a big-money deal elsewhere as one of the top options in the middle of the infield.

SOURCES: The Chicago Cubs have extended second baseman Nico Hoerner.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 26, 2026

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and New York Post MLB reporter Jon Heyman have both said the Hoerner extension is for six years.

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Back in 2023, Hoerner and the Cubs agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal before Opening Day.

Dating back to 2022, Hoerner has been remarkably consistent in all aspects of his game. Even when he wasn’t tearing it up at the plate, Hoerner made it up for it with outstanding defense and great base running.

2022: 135 games, 281/.327/.410, 20 stolen bases, 108 wRC+, 13 OAA, 10 DRS, 4.3 fWAR
2023: 150 games, .283/.346/.383, 43 stolen bases, 103 wRC+, 13 OAA, 11 DRS, 4.5 fWAR
2024: 151 games, .273/.335/.373, 31 stolen bases, 102 wRC+, 10 OAA, 4 DRS, 3.9 fWAR
2025: 156 games, .297/.345/.394, 29 stolen bases, 109 wRC+, 14 OAA, 17 DRS, 4.8 fWAR

Hoerner, 28, had his best season in 2025. Not only did he have a 4.8 fWAR and win his second Gold Glove award at second base, but he also led all the players in his position with a 6.2 bWAR. That mark was tied with Juan Soto for seventh-best in MLB among position players.

The only Cubs player to debut since 1970 to be more productive by bWAR across his age 25-to-28 seasons than Hoerner (19.6) is Anthony Rizzo (20.0 from 2015-18).

— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) March 26, 2026