CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs clinched a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon, completing the game in just 1 hour and 48 minutes. This marked their quickest nine-inning game in 23 years. The winds at Wrigley Field were fierce, making it difficult for hitters. Both starting pitchers, Jameson Taillon and Nick Martinez, executed their game plans effectively. With the offseason approaching, there seemed to be an added sense of urgency.
However, Nico Hoerner refuses to merely go through the motions. He made a sprint from third base, diving headfirst to score the game’s only run on a sacrifice fly. Hoerner is known for getting his uniform dirty while consistently delivering exceptional defense. Before the Cubs disperse for the winter, The Athletic spoke with the Stanford graduate, who has a comprehensive view of the field.
Is the season a failure?
Hoerner faced this question frequently last year and responded with “yes” after the Cubs fell short of the playoffs by a single game. The team had halted a sell-off at the previous season’s trade deadline, reaching 12 games above .500 in early September and boosting their postseason chances to over 90 percent. The subsequent collapse weighed heavily on team president Jed Hoyer last October, prompting the choice to replace David Ross with Craig Counsell as the new manager. Hoerner’s perspective for 2024 is more nuanced.
Hoerner: It’s a complex question in many respects. We are certainly below where we aspire to be, and that’s unequivocal. I don’t feel the need to search for the perfect wording. The fact is, we didn’t make the playoffs. We didn’t give ourselves a shot at winning the World Series, which is our primary goal.
That said, I take pride in many of the things we’ve accomplished internally this year. I’m pleased with the direction this team is heading. I’ve seen the respect I have for my teammates grow as individuals have improved throughout the season. The younger players have stepped up, we’ve rebuilt our entire bullpen, and our starting pitchers have shown consistency. Even during prolonged stretches when our position players struggled to produce collectively, it appears that almost everyone has responded by seeking the best version of themselves and showing steady improvement.
Clearly, we’re falling short of the ultimate standard we aim for. We can process that in various ways. Nevertheless, I believe our commitment to winning is exceptionally strong. We are poised to improve.
Trade rumors
The Cubs are unlikely to part ways with Hoerner, a homegrown Gold Glove second baseman who collaborates effectively with shortstop Dansby Swanson and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, solidifying the team’s up-the-middle defense. His WAR ratings over the past three years — 4.2, 5.1, 3.5 according to Baseball Reference — attest to his substantial value. At just 27 years old and under contract through 2026, trading him wouldn’t bring net gains. However, the Cubs seem restricted in their options for improvement due to some roster commitments, no-trade clauses, and payroll limitations, all of which will fuel speculation.
Hoerner: I signed an extension here for a reason. I obviously want to be a part of this organization. Winning here would be one of the most satisfying accomplishments imaginable. Being in the organization that drafted you — and facing challenges as we’ve discussed — makes you want to experience and contribute to the full journey. That is truly one of the most rewarding aspects of a career. Achieving that alongside people you’ve collaborated with for a long time — from staff and trainers to clubhouse personnel and teammates who have grown with you — is what makes playoff celebrations incredibly special. Watching other teams achieve that makes me think about how great it would be to share that experience with everyone here.
The Wrigleyville experience
Nico Hoerner has spent his entire six-year career in Chicago. (Griffin Quinn / Getty Images)
