The Cubs are certain that Nico Hoerner will make a full recovery from his forearm surgery that took place in October, but the team isn't banking on a set timeline for the second baseman's return either. They'll know a lot more about Hoerner's status once spring training comes around in February, but the question now is how will the Cubs prepare if he's not ready for the start of 2025?
Well, for the fans waiting on top prospects to get a chance the latest from Jed Hoyer is a welcomed message.
After the news came out that Hoerner had surgery there was speculation that top Cubs prospect Matt Shaw could be in line to fill in at second base if needed. This week at the GM Meetings in San Antonio, Texas, Hoyer addressed the potential question mark in the infield and the plan this winter will not include adding external options.
Via The Athletic.
If Nico Hoerner isn’t ready to start next season on time, the Chicago Cubs believe they already have in-house options to cover for the Gold Glove second baseman. Hoerner’s recovery from flexor tendon surgery comes with an uncertain timeline that could create a new opportunity for Matt Shaw, the top prospect in a deep farm system.
If needed, Hoyer mentioned both Shaw and James Triantos as options at second base while Hoerner gets up to speed.
Shaw, 22, has risen to the top of a loaded Cubs farm system in the last two seasons in the minor leagues after he was selected 13th overall out of Maryland in the 2023 MLB Draft. The right-handed hitter has excelled at the plate at every stop he's made in pro ball and in 2024 Shaw ended the season by posting a 142 wRC+ in 35 games at Triple-A.
Out of the two infield prospects that Hoyer mentioned, it would seem like Shaw would have the edge over James Triantos, the 21-year-old infielder who is currently ranked No. 5 in the Cubs' system. Triantos, who was drafted out of high school in 2021, also made it up to Triple-A in 2024, slashing .302/.351/.384, in 26 games with the Iowa Cubs.
It should be a good sign that Hoyer views these prospects as MLB-ready players and he essentially said as much on Monday.
“When I look at where we are for next year, we have multiple corner outfielders who can step in if someone goes down,” Hoyer said. “We have infielders (who can step up). It is really nice to have that kind of depth. When you talk about farm systems, a lot of times they’re talking about guys in High A, Low A. It’s great to have that pipeline. But you’re talking about non-usable pieces in the big leagues. Our guys are rapidly becoming usable major-league depth.”
So, as of now the plan appears to be for Shaw and Triantos to battle it out in spring training for a spot on the roster if and it's a big if Hoerner isn't ready next year.
As for other internal options the Cubs could turn to Michael Busch while Cody Bellinger steps in at first base. I'd rather have that than giving guys like Patrick Wisdom, Nick Madrigal or Miles Mastrobuoni increased playing time. Busch does have experience at second base, most recently logging 25 starts at the position in Triple-A during the 2023 season when he was still a part of the Dodgers organization.
(Previous Update)
The latest on Nico Hoerner's surgery raises a few more uneasy questions about his availability to begin the 2025 season and potentially opens the door for top Cubs prospect Matt Shaw to have a bigger role on Opening Day.
The Cubs announced that Hoerner underwent successful right flexor tendon surgery after the regular season on Monday and The Athletic's Patrick Mooney added a little more information about the injury. It turns out that Hoerner, who did play in 151 games in 2024, was dealing with a forearm issue for the majority of the season.
Yet, the big issue moving forward is whether Hoerner will be ready by the start of the 2025 season and well the update really only gave me some pause because there's still no clear timetable for the second baseman.
Via The Athletic.
Hoerner experienced discomfort in his right forearm for a significant portion of the season, and his general timeline for next year will depend on how he’s progressing once he reports for spring training in Arizona, according to sources.
This adds another uncertain element to a pivotal offseason for the Cubs. Hoerner is a Gold Glove defender at second base, a proven major-league shortstop and a leader by example in the Wrigley Field clubhouse.
Mooney mentions the possibility of Isaac Paredes or Michael Busch filling in at second base as each of those two players have previous experience at the position. However, if Hoerner's status remains a mystery once spring training begins, then it would seem like Matt Shaw would be the obvious choice to get most of the reps at second.
There was always a good chance that Shaw was going to have a role with the 2025 Cubs from the very start of the season. I've been envisioning his playing time being spread out like Javier Báez back in 2016, with added at-bats as the designated hitter as well for Shaw next season. Now, with Hoerner's health up in the air Shaw could be thrusted into a starting role right off the rip.
(Previous Update)
Ummm, this seems bad. We always expect to hear an announcement or two during the offseason regarding a player needing surgery and you always cross your fingers that it isn't something big, but this surgery to Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner seems major.
On Monday, the Cubs announced that Hoerner underwent right flexor tendon surgery earlier in October.
This is coming completely out of nowhere because although Hoerner did miss a few games on two separate occasions during the 2024 season he never went on the injured list and played in 151 games. Hoerner did deal with a hand fracture back in June, but he was back in the lineup after only missing a handful of games. No idea if this new development is related.
There's still no word from the Cubs regarding a timetable for Hoerner's recovery, but at the very least his offseason program will be affected by this procedure. Will he be ready by spring training? Will this affect his performance at the plate in 2025?
Another big issue is that whether you believe he should be shopped or not this winter, Hoerner undergoing a serious surgery pretty much sinks his trade value during the next 4-5 months.
Hoerner, 27, will begin the 2025 season with two years left on his contract with the Cubs.
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