The Chicago Cubs are poised to be among the most disappointing teams of the 2024 season. They made a significant investment in Craig Counsell, making him the highest-paid manager in baseball history, with hopes he would lead the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
However, a combination of injuries, blown leads, and missed saves has left them four games below .500 and 3.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot as of Tuesday. This has made their decision-making ahead of the upcoming trade deadline particularly challenging.
General Manager Jed Hoyer appears to have a strategy in mind, indicating that the Cubs’ priority will be to bolster their prospects for future seasons. While he didn’t explicitly state they will sell off assets, the implication is strong, especially with many teams in playoff contention looking to add talent.
Chicago could capitalize on this situation by acquiring assets for the future. Several players have been mentioned as potential trade candidates, with Cody Bellinger, despite his current injury sidelining him, being one of the names in discussions. The Cubs also possess bullpen arms that could attract interest from contenders.
In a more aggressive move, the Cubs might consider trading Nico Hoerner, their reigning Gold Glove second baseman. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, numerous teams have expressed interest in the 27-year-old due to his stellar defensive skills and respectable offensive metrics (94 OPS+ and 99 wRC+).
For Chicago to entertain such a deal, they would expect a substantial return. While minor leaguers like Matt Shaw and James Triantos have shown promise, they are likely a few seasons away from reaching the majors, suggesting that trading Hoerner would signal a commitment to rebuilding for the future rather than contending in the short term.
Ultimately, while the Cubs may hesitate to part with Hoerner, exploring trade offers for him is a necessary step if they are serious about enhancing their long-term competitiveness.
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