Cubs reportedly optioning Nico Hoerner |
Too many good players at second base all of a sudden.
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly optioning second baseman Nico Hoerner according to multiple reports including ESPN. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports on the latest on the situation. "Evaluators saw Hoerner as the best 2B in camp," he posted. "Service-time considerations are very real. If he’s in minors for 36 days, Cubs get an extra year." As it stands now, Hoerner is controllable through the 2025 season. Cubs utility man David Bote has been impressive during Cubs camp as well as veteran Eric Sogard. "David Bote, who the Cubs have locked up long-term, has hit very well in camp. So has Sogard, who has been on a minor league deal. Ildemaro Vargas has been solid, too. But Hoerner does have a 1.052 OPS this spring and was a Gold Glove finalist at 2B in 2020." David Ross has been on the record saying that he wants to leave Kris Bryant at third base instead of the outfield so that moves Bote to second base. David Ross on Hoerner demotion: "Its a little less about Nico and more about David Bote."
Obviously, this is not great news for Hoerner but the Cubs have other options at this time while the organization believes he needs more offensive retooling down in the minors. During his short stint in the majors, he has a .247 career average and didn't homer last season with a low .259 slugging. However, he has been impressive this spring with a .355 average with three doubles, a triple, three stolen bases, and a homer in 34 plate appearances. Hoerner will be one of the cornerstones of the Cubs franchise for many years but he is still young with only 375 career minor league at-bats.
Ross says Bote is the starter at 2b
