Cubs infield was more good than bad in 2024, but this key position has to improve

Nico Hoerner played through an injury - but closed the year strong

Nico Hoerner remains one of the most underrated players on this team. Despite apparently being affected by an arm injury for a big chunk of the season, the former first-rounder only narrowly missed another 4.0 fWAR season (3.9 fWAR) and finished the year on a hot streak, batting .355 over the final month.

He eclipsed 30 stolen bases for the second consecutive year, with his work on the basepaths just one way he provided value for the Cubs. His low strikeout rate and strong bat-to-ball tools were a staple once again and the glovework remains elite, evidenced by his ranking in the 95th percentile in OAA.

Any thought of trading Hoerner is dead in the water given the flexor tendon surgery he underwent recently - meaning he'll be back alongside Swanson as one of the game's best double play tandems in 2025. The question is when he'll be back on the field. A prolonged absence would be a big loss for the Cubs, though, it could also open the door to a top prospect like Matt Shaw.