Looking at 3 Possible Trade Partners for Nico Hoerner as Alex Bregman Decision Looms

While Alex Bregman contemplates his decision, Jed Hoyer needs to be prepared for all scenarios. Bregman choosing the Cubs is their preferred option, which turns all eyes to Nico Hoerner as a likely trade candidate. Sources have informed CI that the Cubs are indeed engaging in discussions with other teams about the Gold Glove second baseman. That may not be ideal with Hoerner cementing himself as a perennial 4-WAR player, but the budget constraints ownership has given the front office means salary will have to be shed if Bregman is signed.

Current estimates have the Cubs at just under $210 million in luxury tax payroll, so Bregman’s expected salary of around $28-30 million per year would bring them to the first penalty threshold. They went over more or less by accident in 2024 and all signs point to them looking to avoid being repeat offenders. Moving Hoerner would free up nearly $12 million in salary to provide a buffer that could be set aside for in-season acquisitions.

There has been concern about when Hoerner would be ready following surgery to repair a torn right flexor tendon, but he seems to be recovering well. This should help his value in the coming weeks leading up to the season, so the Cubs could net a strong return that would fill needs rather than being a pure salary dump.

Infielder @nico_hoerner making throws and taking some ground balls in @Cubs camp! Good to see him making progress in his rehab! #Cubs pic.twitter.com/tBY5ajUUWF

— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 6, 2025

The Yankees have shown interest in Hoerner all winter and the recent smoke around Bregman has picked up the pace after discussions slowed over the last month when it appeared Hoerner would stay in Chicago. New York lost Gleyber Torres to free agency, leaving an empty spot at second base. Their current plan is to play Jazz Chisolm there with DJ LeMahieu in charge of the hot corner. Getting Hoerner would add some much-needed defense up the middle and let them move Chisolm back to third. Clarke Schmidt would be a great target for Chicago with the likelihood of a Dylan Cease trade continuing to dwindle.

The Guardians tried to acquire Hoerner and Justin Steele at last season’s trade deadline and the Cubs obviously said no, but Hoerner was close to being dealt. Top prospect Chase DeLauter was mentioned in potential trade talks and could be a name Hoyer looks at once again if talks are picked up. Another name to look at is Gavin Williams, although he is probably less of a realistic possibility.

Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners are having an offseason for the ages, and not in a good way. After wasting a historic starting rotation by failing to make the postseason, Dipoto has done virtually nothing to upgrade his offense to support those pitchers. The Mariners have loved Hoerner for years and have therefore tried to trade for him many times. Talks have continued throughout the winter, but the Cubs backed away once it became clear Seattle wasn’t trading one of their young starters. While Dipoto’s budgetary restrictions make a deal questionable, there’s always a chance he moves around payroll to make it happen.

Hoerner’s all-around talent means there will be great interest in the event that he indeed hits the market. Chicago is bound to look for pitching, with the possibility of trying to add a draft pick to offset what they’d lose by signing Bregman. Since they went over the CBT penalty last year and Bregman turned down a qualifying offer from the Astros, the Cubs will lose their second and fifth picks in the upcoming draft along with $1 million in international bonus pool allocation.

Bregman would like to have his new team picked out before full-squad workouts begin next week, so things could move very quickly over the next few days.