The Chicago Cubs have not done anything of real significance this offseason, and they just missed out on Tatsuya Imai. However, with the free-agent market potentially starting to move, the Cubs might get active here in the coming days.
We have heard the Cubs connected to shortstop Bo Bichette in free agency, but in order for them to add him, they would probably have to trade second baseman Nico Hoerner. They could then slide Bichette over to second base and keep Dansby Swanson at shortstop.
Whether or not that would actually represent an upgrade for Chicago is debatable. Hoerner is far superior to Bichette defensively, and while Bichette definitely possesses the better bat, it’s not like Hoerner is a complete slouch at the plate.
But in the midst of the Bichette rumors, Hoerner trade speculation has grown, and Jackson Roberts of On SI has pitched an idea in which the Cubs would send Hoerner to the Boston Red Sox.
Could the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox strike a deal?
If the Cubs do decide to move Hoerner, there would certainly be no shortage of potential suitors for the 28-year-old, but would the Red Sox make sense?
Roberts thinks so.
“Another team that hasn’t had a good second baseman in far too long, dating back to the pre-injury days of Dustin Pedroia,” Roberts wrote. “Boston is the other main team that has been active in the markets for [Brendan] Donovan and [Ketel] Marte, so it wouldn’t shock anyone if they were in on Hoerner.”
The Red Sox used Romy Gonzalez and former top prospect Kristian Campbell at second base in 2025, but based on their decision to pursue both Donovan and Marte, it appears that they are seeking more stability at the position.
Hoerner slashed .297/.345/.394 with seven home runs, 29 doubles and 61 RBI over 649 plate appearances this past season. He also stole 29 bases.
You would figure that Hoerner would largely benefit from the Green Monster in left field at Fenway Park, so he could become a doubles machine in Boston.
Of course, whether or not Chicago would actually move Hoerner is another story entirely. He has just one year of club control remaining, but he has been a lynchpin for the Cubs for years running. Trading him at this point would probably be a mistake unless the Cubbies can reap a massive haul in return.
This Chicago Cubs prospect is poised to break out in 2026, per MLB
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