Welcome again to the 2025-26 version of Smash or Pass, through which we study potential free agent and commerce targets to find out whether or not the Pink Sox ought to pursue them and what it could take to land them. Immediately we take a look at a Gold Glove infielder.
Who’s he and the place does he come from?
He’s Nico Hoerner and he’s presently a member of the Chicago Cubs, a crew that, as Dan Secatore put it, simply handed out a bad contract, a notion I agree with, albeit with disappointment for the lack of a clubhouse chief. The 2018 first spherical draft decide (two picks forward of Triston Casas) has been on a Main League roster since 2019 (two years longer than Casas, which isn’t an indictment on Triston as Hoerner is sort of three years older). He’s primarily performed at second base, logging 500 video games on the place, although he’s dabbled at quick, too, having performed 210 video games at that place.
In the event you lamented Bregman’s departure from the crew on account of his defensive capacity, then you definitely may like Nico Hoerner. In truth, he’s the reigning Gold Glover at second, having additionally received in 2023, and his 2025 Outs Above Common (15) positioned him within the high 98th percentile within the league. In the event you’re frightened about the opportunity of Ceddanne “Nuff Cedd” Rafaela masking second base regardless of being a world class middle fielder, the acquisition of Hoerner will make you breathe simpler.
Plus, Hoerner, who turns 29 in Might, isn’t too unhealthy on the plate both. He does lack energy, mashing simply seven house runs. However, I’m keen to forgive that since he will get on base to the tune of a .345 OBP and barely ever strikes out, as his profession greatest strikeout share of seven.6% in 2025 additionally ranked within the high 98th percentile. Oh, and he stole twenty 9 baggage, so he’s fast, too. So, sure, Hoerner is absolutely good. Which is exactly why he’s the valued starter on one other crew.
TLDR; simply give me his 2025 stats.
.297/.345/.394, 7 HR, 61 RBI, 49 Ok, 39 BB, 29 SB, 4 FE in 156 video games
Why would he be match on the 2025 Pink Sox?
I must once more state that, on a crew that has been in shambles defensively for the higher a part of a decade and which has a steady infielder departing, Hoerner had ZERO throwing errors and simply 4 fielding errors. He additionally missed simply six video games. That’s some stability that the crew hasn’t seen within the infield in a while. Hoerner’s fWAR final yr was 4.8. I’m by no means evaluating Hoerner to Pedroia (until I’m?) however Pedroia’s common fWAR per 162 video games performed in his profession was 5.6. To be that near a just-shy-of-a-hall-of-famer’s numbers is a really, excellent factor. And, at his worst, Hoerner in 2024 nonetheless hit .273 whereas coping with a hand harm
Why wouldn’t he be match on the Pink Sox?
There are a number of causes, the primary of which is the query of what the Cubs would need for Hoerner. They would definitely strive for a high-end prospect like Tolle or Early, another appreciable names like Arias or Romero, and presumably one or two different lottery ticket prospects. Now, the Pink Sox have sufficient depth sufficient to soak up dealing these names for a potential All-Star. However, it might scare off the measured Craig Breslow a bit.
Furthermore, Hoerner might be a free agent subsequent season. Bo Bichette’s 3 yr, $126 million take care of the New York Mets drives up the value tag for all-star caliber infielders. Hoerner averted arbitration with Chicago in 2024 by signing a 3 yr, $35 million deal, however that was a Gold Glove and 5 factors on the strikeout share in the past. He’ll command a deal nearer to Bichette subsequent offsesaon (humor me with no lockout dialogue, please.)
Plus, the Pink Sox might merely wish to see what they’ve in Marcelo Mayer at one other place, and the outfield is already backlogged sufficient that we might even see Rafaela and even Kristian Campbell (left subject chatter apart) in the course of the diamond sooner or later (or perhaps each if, heaven forbid, the infield has any well being points). And, in case you’re searching for a selected motive why buying and selling property could be tough, it’s that Hoerner lacks energy; Savant persistently has him within the lowest tenth percentile in barrel share and laborious hit share. In the event you’re searching for extra energy after the Bregman departure, chances are you’ll not wish to herald a man who solely hit 36 house runs in a six (or 6.014) yr profession.
Present me a cool spotlight.
Right here he’s outsmarting the White Sox twice in about 5 seconds on an infield fly rule to show two by letting a baseball drop to the bottom. There’s additionally the truth that he has tremendous fast reflexes with that arm.
I’m smashing, however I believe he’ll begin the season as a Chicago Cub quite than get dealt to a crew that saddles up the property to accumulate him and is ready to increase Hoerner in brief order. The Cubs are in “win now” mode and they also might even see how the season goes with a stacked infield filled with studs. This Pink Sox offseason, the Ranger Suarez signing apart, has seen a return to the “curiosity kings” mode of operations, because the crew has been tied to a plethora of notable names, solely to see them signal with another person. However the 2026 second base place largely stays a query mark, as it could have even with Alex Bregman returning. Because of this, it’d swimsuit the Pink Sox effectively to throw a little bit little bit of warning to the wind and get a confirmed All-Star caliber participant to hitch their ranks. Whether or not they may? Effectively, that’s a special story… no pun meant.
