Giants force Nico Hoerner to be dragged into Cubs' circus involving Alex Bregman

One of the surprising takeaways from the Winter Meetings was that Nico Hoerner's name popped up in trade conversations the Chicago Cubs had. While it was made clear the Cubs weren't shopping Hoerner, The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney heard enough chatter involving the Cubs' Gold Glove second baseman that it warranted being mentioned.

The San Francisco Chronicle's (subscription required) Susan Slusser revealed one of those teams involved in the conversations with the Cubs. Slusser mentions that the Cubs have dangled Hoerner in trade talks with the San Francisco Giants as the Giants look to add a second baseman while the Cubs look to make room for Alex Bregman or Eugenio Suarez.

Cubs Rumors: Nico Hoerner appears to be on the San Francisco Giants' radar

Slusser's framing of the Hoerner rumor is somewhat different than what was reported in the immediate aftermath of the Winter Meetings. The framing from Slusser is that it was the Cubs who approached the Giants with the sole purpose of making room for Bregman or Suarez.

Looking at the rumor from a Cubs' perspective, it doesn't make sense. Not only do the Cubs, in theory, have financial room to sign one of the veteran infielders without trading Hoerner, but they also have the roster fit. Incumbent third baseman Matt Shaw would move into a super-utility role and could return to the starting lineup as early as 2027, considering Hoerner is among the free agents the Cubs have next offseason.

The guess here is that the Cubs and Giants did have some trade talks at the Winter Meetings, and at one point, Hoerner's name was mentioned. Slusser may have gotten wind of that, and with there already being rumors of the Cubs being interested in the two veteran third basemen, the Giants' beat reporter simply put two and two together.

It's still a pretty far leap to make from where we currently are, knowing that Hoerner has popped up in trade talks, to the idea that he will actually be moved. Hoerner has emerged as a leader, both on and off the field, for the Cubs, and trading him could disrupt the chemistry of the roster. While that shouldn't be a reason why the Cubs avoid making a move if it's the right decision, it's hard to see how they could come out ahead after a trade of Hoerner.