Cubs Made ‘Legitimate Traction’ Trading Gold Glove Winner to American League: Report

The Chicago Cubs were in talks to trade second baseman Nico Hoerner at the Winter Meetings, according to a new report.

According to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the Seattle Mariners made "legitimate traction" with the Cubs on a trade for the 2023 Gold Glove Award winner, who now looks poised to begin the 2025 season in Chicago.

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Kramer also reported the Mariners explored a trade for Cody Bellinger, whom the Cubs eventually traded to the New York Yankees in December.

Hoerner, 27, appears firmly poised as the Cubs' Opening Day second baseman between first baseman Michael Busch and shortstop Dansby Swanson.

Third base is shaping into one of baseball's better camp competitions as Spring Training approaches. Matt Shaw, 23, is a consensus Top-100 prospect who slashed .279/.373/.468 in 86 games at Double-A last season, and .298/.395/.534 at Triple-A Iowa.

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Regardless of who wins that job, there's no impetus for the Cubs to deal from their infield after the trade of Bellinger and the acquisition of outfielder Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros. The Cubs had been linked to free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, but president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer doused cold water on that possibility over the weekend.

Regardless of whether or not Bregman is a Cub in 2025, Hoerner's job appears safe. Last season saw the 27-year-old continue his steady production at the plate, lowering his already impressive strikeout rate to a minuscule 10.3 percent.

Although not a power threat (29 home runs in 548 career games), Hoerner increased his line-drive percentage in 2024 to a career-high 30 percent, making him a valuable hitter in any lineup.

On Oct. 11, the Cubs announced that Hoerner underwent successful flexor tendon surgery on his right forearm. Dr. Keith Meister performed the procedure, which will require a focus on rehab in the months leading up to Spring Training.

Although he did not win a Gold Glove Award for the second consecutive season in 2024, Hoerner posted strong defensive numbers (10 Outs Above Average).

Hoerner was selected by the Cubs in the first round (24th overall) of the 2018 MLB draft out of Stanford. He's currently under contract for $11.5 million this year as part of a contract extension that runs through the 2026 season