Cubs considering trading Gold Glove infielder to Mariners, source familiar with matter says

The Chicago Cubs weren’t expected to be sellers at the 2024 trade deadline. But with every game lost, the odds increase exponentially.

After a 17-9 start to the season, the Cubs have fallen, losing 12 of their last 14 series and falling to last place in the National League Central.

While Chicago has big plans to make the playoffs this season, they’re being forced to face reality. And reality in this case dictates that the Cubs may be forced to part ways with players they like if the offers are too good to refuse.

MLB Network insider Jon Morosi spoke about the Cubs trade possibilities on MLB Central Monday morning. He discussed the growing possibility that the Cubs could trade second baseman Nico Hoerner, citing the Seattle Mariners as the top choice.

“A team like the Seattle Mariners needs a second baseman … not just this year but beyond,” Morosi said. “The Cubs have struggled so much to get any traction that I think they should at least consider it.”

Hoerner, 27, signed a three-year arbitration extension that pays him $11.5 million each of the next two seasons and $12 million in 2026. He won his first career Gold Glove at second base in 2023 and also played extensively at shortstop.

Hoerner’s versatile profile fits exactly what the Mariners are lacking. He doesn’t throw a strikeout (98th percentile strikeout rate), plays fantastic defense (four strikeouts above average at second base) and has stolen 57 bases in 66 attempts since the start of the 2023 season.

Coming into the season, the Cubs couldn’t have imagined a nightmare scenario in which they would consider trading Hoerner. Because of his speed, defense and contact-hitting abilities, Hoerner has been the Cubs’ most valuable position player over a two-season span, posting 9.3 bWAR from 2022-23.

However, falling five games short of a playoff berth has forced Chicago to rethink its trade deadline strategy. If the Cubs want to sell, this might be the best time to trade Hoerner, given the control he gives the team and the fact that infielders typically don’t age past age 30.

Even if trading Hoerner was the best move for the Cubs going forward, it would be a tough pill to swallow in the present. The season is shaping up to be a lost one on Chicago’s North Side, and trading a young infield stalwart would feel like a huge step backward.

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