NEWSLETTER
We have discussed the top free agent shortstops in this year’s class for a long time, and the likelihood that the Chicago Cubs will be in pursuit. Part and parcel of that conversation is the existence of Nico Hoerner, and his breakout at shortstop this year.
From where I sit, Hoerner being as good as he’s been is all the MORE reason to want to bring in another top-tier bat/glove for the infield. Hoerner’s versatility will allow for a pairing, and his steps forward help put the Cubs in a better position to compete in 2023 (and thus be justified in pursuing a top bat in the first place). In other words, just because Hoerner is breaking out at “shortstop,” that’s not a reason to sit out the “shortstop” market in free agency, if that’s where some of the best bats and gloves happen to be this year.
You don’t need to hear all that from me again, though. You’ve heard it before.
Much better to hear it from Cubs manager David Ross.
From The Athletic, referencing a hypothetical plan to sign one of the top shortstops this offseason:
Cubs manager David Ross gave the strongest public endorsement of that plan to date ahead of ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” a rain-soaked TV production overshadowed locally by the Bears and a national afterthought on the first NFL Sunday of the new season. It’s basic supply and demand with Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson all positioned to become free agents after this season and the Cubs trying to build around more players like Nico Hoerner.
“It’s like when you want to buy a new car but you don’t have to, you can be picky, right?” Ross said. “We’ve got a really good shortstop here. If something works out where they identify a middle infielder that is of value that they feel like fits really well, I think everybody’s on board with that, including myself and Nico. Those are good problems to have. We’ll let the front office kind of pick and choose on that.”
That sure sounds to me like a manager who really wants a shiny new sports car for his garage, which he can pretty easily park next to the one he already has. Nudge nudge nudge Jed nudge nudge.
Ross wants as many good players as he can get. Hoerner wants to win. There is no reason that Hoerner’s presence, then, should preclude the Cubs from adding a guy like Carlos Correa at shortstop. Not only can Hoerner slide over to second base (which is far from settled at the moment), but you have to remember that assuming full health is a dangerous game. We were reminded of that just this weekend, with both Hoerner (triceps tightness) and Nick Madrigal (groin strain) dealing with injury issues.
Ross went on to underscore how Hoerner’s flexibility is so valuable, noting in the process how good Hoerner has been at second base (NBC):
“The good thing about Nico is he’s willing to do whatever we’ve asked. What I know about him is he wants to win. The willingness to move around for him is real …. Nico’s already proven he’s a Gold Glove second baseman on top of let’s see what kind of awards he might get this year. There’s a ton of value in that. It’s like having an elite center fielder and being able to get another outfielder and moving him to a corner. You’re better defensively all the way around.”
Ross isn’t the one who’ll be out there this winter constructing the roster, but he is a voice in the room. He’s said recently that he doesn’t think the Cubs are that far off from being competitive, and that’s all the more reason to be aggressive in free agency:
