The Chicago Cubs made a franchise-altering move on Saturday night. After weeks of rumors surrounding Alex Bregman, they were finally able to get a deal done with him.
According to a report from ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Cubs agreed to terms on a massive five-year, $175 million contract with Bregman.
More details have been shared about the contract on Sunday. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has reported that $70 million of the $175 is deferred. He does not have exact numbers on the net value, but it is expected to be in the $30-31 million range.
Following the move to sign Bregman, Chicago has some decisions to make. One of those decisions will be regarding the future of second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Matt Shaw is more than capable of playing second base. There has been some speculation about the Cubs looking into trading Hoerner. Those rumors are sure to grow louder in the coming days.
Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees Could Be Potential Trade Partners
Speaking of Hoerner, there is an intriguing potential trade partner to talk about for Chicago.
Back on January 5, it was shared that MLB insider Jim Bowden name-dropped the New York Yankees as a team interested in a trade for Hoerner.
“I’m being told by opposing GMs that the Yankees are pretty obsessed with adding a right-handed bat,” Bowden said. “I’ve also heard them linked to Nico Hoerner.”
Hoerner would be an excellent addition for the Yankees. He would bring elite defense to the infield and a clutch bat.
During the 2025 MLB season with the Cubs, Hoerner played in 156 games. He hit seven home runs, drove in 61 RBI, and produced a slash line of .297/.345/.394.
Those numbers would be a big step in the right direction for New York. He could be a huge part of helping turn the Yankees back into a World Series contender. In addition, New York fans would likely rejoice at Hoerner replacing Anthony Volpe defensively.
Other Teams Are Sure to Have Interest in Hoerner
Should Chicago place Hoerner on the trade block, New York would be a team to watch. However, there are quite a few other teams around the league who would likely have interest as well.
Among the other potential trade suitors to watch are the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays. There are other teams who could jump into the mix as well.
At 28 years old, Horner could still be a long-term piece for a franchise to acquire and place as a key cornerstone for years to come.
It’s possible the Cubs could simply keep Hoerner. If Jed Hoyer decides to go that route, Shaw would instantly become a super utility player and his role for 2026 would decline dramatically. Shaw is a talented player, but Chicago could be a more serious contender if Hoerner sticks around this season.
Only time will tell what the Cubs choose to do with Hoerner. Signing Bregman made the team a much more serious World Series contender, but it’s possible the team’s roster movement has not come to an end just yet.
Cubs Could Be Headed Towards Trade With Yankees After Bregman Signing