After landing Alex Bregman, the Cubs’ depth up the middle is more important than ever — and that makes Nico Hoerner untouchable despite trade rumors.
It was a glorious sports weekend in Chicago.
The Bears pulled off an epic Wild Card comeback, storming back from a 21–3 deficit against the Green Bay Packers to advance in the playoffs. And to make it even sweeter for Chicago fans, that comeback almost felt sparked by the Cubs making a massive move of their own.
At 9:37 p.m. Central, deep into the second half of the Bears game, Jon Heyman broke the news that Alex Bregman was headed to the Chicago Cubs. From that moment on, everything seemed to flip at Soldier Field.
The Cubs got it done. The Bears won. Even the Blackhawks and Bulls took care of business for good measure.
But once Cubs fans finished celebrating Bregman’s arrival, the mood shifted. Almost immediately, trade rumors began to swirl — and at the center of them was second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Matt Shaw’s name has also popped up in speculation, but if the Cubs make an infield move, Hoerner is the far more logical trade chip. He has just one year left on his contract, and teams around the league are already calling about acquiring him.
And yet, it’s a move the Cubs simply can’t afford to make.
Right now, Matt Shaw is on the outside looking in when it comes to the Cubs’ everyday lineup. And that’s not a problem — it’s a strength.
If Shaw continues to hit the way he did in the second half of 2025, his time as a full-time player will come. Hoerner is likely to leave in free agency, which would naturally open up second base for a young, cost-controlled hitter. There’s no reason to rush that process.
Keeping Shaw in a utility role gives the Cubs maximum flexibility and depth for 2026. Shaw can play both second and third. Hoerner can slide over to shortstop if needed. And no one knows yet what Moisés Ballesteros will look like as a regular DH.
Having both Shaw and Hoerner gives the Cubs an insurance policy — and that’s exactly what a contender needs. You’re always one injury or one cold streak away from needing quality depth. If an infielder goes down or a bat struggles out of the gate, you want a talented, versatile player ready to step in. That safety net disappears the moment you trade Hoerner.
There are also real defensive consequences to consider. The Cubs are elite up the middle with Dansby Swanson and Hoerner in the infield and Pete Crow-Armstrong roaming center field. That trio is the backbone of this team’s run prevention and a big reason the Cubs are built for a deep postseason push.
The best teams don’t just fill out a lineup on paper — they stack depth on top of depth. They build rosters that allow them to stay strong no matter what happens over a 162-game season.
That’s why a Nico Hoerner trade doesn’t make sense. And it’s why, even with all the noise swirling, it’s something the Cubs simply can’t afford to do.