2 extensions the Cubs should make right now, and 1 they should avoid

Surprisingly, the Winter Meetings came and went with little talk of extensions for the Chicago Cubs. Sure, the annual gathering of executives and agents is primarily focused on free agency, but the lack of any chatter despite Jed Hoyer mentioning how such deals would be a priority this offseason was a little unexpected. There is plenty of time to go, though, and a lot of upcoming free agents and young players to approach.

A cliff is ever-looming in 2027, when the Cubs will have all of Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and more hitting the open market. As we've previously discussed, it would be too much talent to lose in one offseason if the team hopes to remain in contention beyond the coming season. With so many holes and so much money coming off the books, they'll almost certainly talk — or perhaps already have — with some of these players about longer commitments, and they'll have the cash to get things done.

They also have a few budding stars that make sense to try and lock up now for some extra cost certainty, given their trajectory. Pete Crow-Armstrong has gotten the most attention on this front, but he's not the only one worth considering securing for the long haul right now. Before the New Year, let's look at a pair of extensions the Cubs should be prioritizing before games get underway, and one they should steer clear of.

Extend: Nico Hoerner

If there were any Cubs fans still advocating for a Hoerner trade to address the team's other needs, his 2025 season may have shut all of that talk down. The stalwart, remarkably consistent second baseman posted arguably his best season to date, slashing 297/.345/.394/ 109 wRC+ while again playing stellar defense with 17 defensive runs saved and 14 outs above average. Altogether, it earned him 4.8 fWAR, the highest of his career, and another Gold Glove win at just 28. Given the dearth of middle infielders on the market, Hoerner would certainly be in line for a very solid payday were he a free agent now. It's why teams have inquired about trading for him, and also part of the reason to extend him now before anyone can bid on him.

Although they're polar opposites as hitters, Hoerner should be compared favorably to Kyle Schwarber. Both are the heart and soul of their respective teams. This year, having experienced winning baseball for the first time as one of the Cubs' elder statesmen, Hoerner stepped perfectly into a leadership role and wore his emotions on his sleeve while the team fought for its first playoff appearance in a full season since 2018. A common thread among Cubs beat writers was how thoughtful he was and, importantly, how much he's admired in the clubhouse.

Also like Schwarber, if he were to leave because the Cubs didn't pay up, it would be a move fans would hold over this front office like they do the lefty slugger if he continued to thrive elsewhere. It's best to extend him now rather than risk another great season that could leave the Cubs reluctant to go the lengths he'll require. He's an asset on the field and in the clubhouse, defined by consistency and leadership.

Extend: Cade Horton

Homegrown pitching successes have frustratingly eluded the Cubs in recent years. Particularly, when it comes to developing high-end rotation arms like their NL Central rivals have managed, they've failed to translate performances to the big leagues outside of Justin Steele. However, that appeared to change when top pitching prospect Cade Horton was rushed up to the majors amid injuries and almost immediately became their most reliable pitcher. In a career high of 118 innings, he dominated with a 2.67 ERA and 3.58 FIP and a performance down the stretch that earned comparisons to 2015 Jake Arrieta.

If at all possible, he may have pitched a little too well. His ascent as one of the premier young starters of 2025 earned him second place in Rookie-of-the-Year voting, which, in turn, gave him a full year of service time. Now one year closer to free agency, it would behoove the Cubs to act now to get an extra year or two of control out of him. Considering the price of pitching on the market, paying a little more now would be worthwhile if it means keeping the budding right-hander for a little longer.

At this time, the Cubs' farm system is lacking in pitching prospects of much renown, save for Jaxon Wiggins. They have a lot of work to do to build an infrastructure that can more regularly churn out legitimate starters, and a Horton extension would help cover for that. Moreover, the price wouldn't be horrible right now, given the injury concerns both from past seasons and from the end of 2025.

Avoid: Matt Shaw

File this under the "save for later" category. Overall, Matt Shaw had a really solid rookie season with the Cubs, even if his .226/.295/.394 slash line and 93 wRC+ weren't spectacular. He really came alive in the second half, improving to a .258/.317/.522/130 wRC+ line to become one of the team's most effective contributors down the stretch. Coupled with strong defense at third base that earned him 12 defensive runs saved and his first Gold Glove nomination, he has the makings of a complete player.

However, given that this was his rookie season, and an uneven one at that, it doesn't make as much sense to lock him up right now, even if he's been mentioned as a potential extension candidate. There are simply more pressing matters to worry about across the big league roster in the next season than assuring the Cubs have him on a cost-controlled deal beyond his arbitration years. Moreover, there is the remote possibility that he suddenly makes sense as a trade chip. If the team pulls off a deal for Alex Bregman and were to, say, extend Hoerner, there's more reason to consider him in a move for a controllable, high-end starting pitcher or another big piece, even if indications are the front office would love to have him for the long haul.

There is a possibility that, once the dust settles and we're back here at this time next year, Shaw has taken a meaningful step forward that puts him on the extension radar. Until then, the Cubs have time to just wait and see what's next for the young third baseman.