Disappointed if reports are true that SF is close to a deal with Hoerner. Guess we need to see what the return is, but I’m not hopeful we’ll get back piece(s) that will help this year.
Chicago Cubs 2026
I’m not even sure what a sensible Hoerner trade to the Giants looks like… Luis Matos, Tristan Beck and Casey Schmitt?
I really think the Giants smoke is about Chicago trying to get St. Louis to give up Donavan for less.
Keeping your 4 win second basemen for a year you want to compete and win is the worst option?
Huh... the Cubs are getting at least 2 wins worse by having Shaw/ whoever Hoerner's replacement is play 2b in 2026.
Bregman was like a 3-4 win upgrade - to turn around a lose at least 2 wins by dealing Hoerner (pending return) seems completely bonkers.
This isn't like the Brewers moves at all. They've moved guys when they've had replacements, and it's been mostly relievers/ edge case pitchers who are volatile and not really worth holding on year to year. They've never traded a consistent 3-4 win position player still under relatively cheap team control, unless I'm completely blanking on somebody.
Huh... the Cubs are getting at least 2 wins worse by having Shaw/ whoever Hoerner's replacement is play 2b in 2026.
Bregman was like a 3-4 win upgrade - to turn around a lose at least 2 wins by dealing Hoerner (pending return) seems completely bonkers.
This isn't like the Brewers moves at all. They've moved guys when they've had replacements, and it's been mostly relievers/ edge case pitchers who are volatile and not really worth holding on year to year. They've never traded a consistent 3-4 win position player still under relatively cheap team control, unless I'm completely blanking on somebody.
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For those without Twitter, Mariners have MLB pitching to spare and reporter puts it at less than 10% chance he is dealt.
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Just thumbing through that account... SO many wrong predictions/reports from this guy's "sources"...
But it does raise an issue in the Hoerner rumors. I haven’t seen word one from any reliable source on what assets the Giants have that the Cubs are even interested in.
Why would the Cubs trade a starting position player - arguably their MVP from last year’s 92-win team - from a team gunning for a division title for prospects? Assuming Devers and Webb are off the table, what Major League talent would the Cubs even want from the Giants? It just doesn’t look like a match.
Yeah, it always looked like a strange trade partner here. Their young pitching is either slated to help them this year (and I don’t really like them much) or not high enough prospect-wise. Saw tweet mentioning Boston with two young pitchers (Tolle and someone else), and they could possibly put together a good package.
My assumption when they signed Bregman is that the deferred money would make it easier for them to get back under luxury tax after this year. Keep Nico this year and then work on getting under tax in year two. Sure it would be nice to get something for Nico if not going to re-sign him, but where the roster is it makes no sense next to get some major leaguers in return.
Agree with y'all. Red Sox/Yankees seemingly have more to offer. SF's possible trade packages don't excite me unless they just get SUPER desperate and give up Webb.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Saw a mock trade where Cubs get one of the two top lefties in the Red Sox org + for Hoerner.
Edit: EotI referred to it above.
Could always trade Shaw along with a top prospect....
You could. I just don’t see the Cubs doing it. Shaw had a decent second half, and as bad as he was in playoffs the walks were encouraging. He has work to do, but potential is there and bat will play at 2B better than at 3B. I think signing of Bregman was much more about trying to win this year rather than dissatisfaction in Shaw’s long-term prognosis.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
That's the one I saw.
I hope he plays like 2nd half Kyle Tucker and his contract is a complete albatross
I think year 2 is going to get squashed by a lockout with year 3 being TBD. The owners want a cap and the players will not budge one inch. Neither side will even begin to move before games start being lost.
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
MLB needed a salary cap 40 years ago.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
All depends on his health...
I think the owners have been steeling for a lockout for awhile... (The Ricketts' sure seem to be preparing, based on the number of expiring deals we have...)
The Dodgers, once again signing the top FA will only strengthen their resolve.
The answer is probably a hard cap and higher minimum (like the NBA did), but who knows how long it will take for them to agree on the numbers.
On another note, looks like the Cubs may be grooming Shaw for the "Zobrist" role.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/cubs-could-use-matt-shaw-in-outfield.html
Opt outs for whom? I can't see Tucker upset that he is playing for only $60 million per year. If he plays his normal max of 100 games, that will be $600,000 per game.
