The Chicago Cubs have yet to make a major splash this winter, entering January 2026 with mostly minor additions to their roster. After coming close but ultimately losing out on Japanese starter Tatsuya Imai, who chose the Houston Astros, the front office may soon shift focus to other areas of need.
As the free-agent landscape begins to shift, speculation has grown around potential upgrades to the Cubs’ infield. Reports have linked the team to star shortstop Bo Bichette, who remains available on the open market.
To accommodate Bichette, Chicago would likely need to part ways with their current second baseman, Nico Hoerner. One possible alignment would involve shifting Bichette to second while retaining Dansby Swanson at shortstop.
Opinions vary on whether this swap would strengthen the lineup overall. Hoerner excels defensively at second base, far outpacing Bichette in that department, though Bichette brings a stronger offensive profile.
That said, Hoerner contributes solidly with the bat as well, making the potential improvement from such a move open to discussion.
Amid these developments surrounding Bichette, talk of trading Hoerner has intensified. Jackson Roberts of On SI recently suggested a scenario involving Hoerner heading to the Boston Red Sox.
Should the Cubs opt to deal their infielder, interest from around the league would be plentiful for the talented 28-year-old. The question remains whether Boston represents a logical destination.Roberts believes it does.
“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 relied on players like Romy Gonzalez and prospect Kristian Campbell at second base during the 2025 campaign. Their pursuit of other options, including Donovan and Marte, indicates a desire for greater consistency at the spot.
Hoerner posted a .297/.345/.394 batting line last season, including seven homers, 29 doubles, and 61 runs batted in across 649 plate appearances. He also added 29 stolen bases to his resume.
Fenway Park’s famous Green Monster could play to Hoerner’s strengths, potentially turning him into an even more prolific producer of doubles for Boston.
Ultimately, the decision to trade Hoerner rests with the Cubs. With only one year left under club control, he has served as a cornerstone of the team for several seasons.
Moving him now could prove regrettable unless Chicago secures a substantial return package in any deal. As the offseason progresses, these rumors will bear watching for both clubs involved.
