By Jordan Long
The Chicago Cubs begin the 2023 season tomorrow when they host the Milwaukee Brewers. They are looking to improve on their 74-88 record from last season. Chicago decided to extend infielder Nico Hoerner’s contract.
Hoerner has been with the Cubs since 2019. He played in 20 games that year hitting .282 in 78 plate appearances. 2020 Hoerner had more playing time with 48 games even though it was the COVID shortened season. His batting average was .222. In 2021, his playing time dipped to 44 games but he still hit .302.
Last season Hoerner had a career year. He played in 135 games. His batting average ended at .281. Hoerner had a career high 10 home runs and 55 RBI’s. When it came to fielding he was placed at shortstop. There Hoerner made a career high of 13 errors.
The Cubs decided to give Hoerner a 3-year, $35 million contract paying him around $11.66 million a year. This avoids Hoerner becoming a free agent until 2026. He is a player who has a career batting average of .277 and hasn’t shown power with 13 home runs in his career.
Defensively, Hoerner is moving positions. The Cubs signed Dansby Swanson to a 7-year contract during the offseason to be the everyday shortstop. Instead, Horner is going to move to 2nd base, a position he is not that familiar with at the MLB level. He has been placed there 68 games with 3 errors.
The Cubs were quick to give Hoerner this contract. He hasn’t shown he earned it. It would have been better for the Cubs to let him play out this season. They are expecting his numbers to increase every year. There is a chance it won’t happen. The Cubs are taking a big risk but hoping in the end it was worth it. The worst case is Hoerner’s numbers go down. Then they have a decision to make which could be to trade him in the last year of his deal or even during it.
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