Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner has become a trade target for teams this offseason as the two-time Gold Glove winner heads into the final year of his contract with the Cubs.
Hoerner won his second Gold Glove at second base last season and his impending free agency at the end of the 2026 season has sparked interest from several MLB teams.
The San Francisco Giants have been one of the teams linked to a potential grade for Hoerner, a Bay Area native. Giants legend Mike Krukow pointed out a major factor hindering Hoerner’s potential move to San Francisco.
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“As far as Nico Hoerner is concerned, he has a big problem: 30 teams want this guy,” Krukow said. “I mean, that’s how good he is. I make any team better. I love it when I come across an article in the paper where they bring up a name like Nico Hoerner because it makes you dream and imagine what could be.”
The Cubs infielder 297/.345/.394 with seven home runs, 61 RBIs and 29 stolen bases, failing to record 30 steals for the first time in three seasons.
Giants legend urged NL West team to sign players from the ‘Bay Area’
Former Giants All-Star pitcher Mike Krukow “loves” the idea of Nico Hoerner representing the NL West team because he’s from the Bay Area and knows the franchise’s history.
“I love that he’s a Bay Area guy as far as I’m concerned,” Krukow said. “Bring as many Bay Area, Valley and Northern California guys back into the organization as possible, because that’s one thing you get with that type of player.
“You’re going to get a guy who knows the history of the club, and I think if you have the luxury of playing for a team, as a player you know its history, you become a better player.”
It remains to be seen whether the Cubs will extend Hoerner and also cash in on the infielder before he becomes a free agent at the end of next season.
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash
