A huge World Baseball Classic bust showed why he's not a Nico Hoerner successor

By this point, all Chicago Cubs fans know the conundrum surrounding Nico Hoerner: Coming off a career-best campaign in 2025, the star second baseman is due for free agency in a year's time.

The obvious and best solution to this problem would be an extension with the 28-year-old, but the Cubs' lack of urgency in negotiating with any of their free-agents-to-be suggests that such a deal is off the table, at least for now.

So, fans are left to speculate about potential replacements, including New York Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr. The two-time All-Star shined last year, posting a 30/30 campaign as the Bronx Bombers' keystone stopper. But he's also known for being streaky and falling apart when the lights are the brightest.

That was especially true in the World Baseball Classic this year, where Chisholm hit just .222/.263/.222 with no extra-base hits and a 33 percent strikeout rate in 18 plate appearances. His team, Great Britain, was eliminated after posting a 1-3 record in pool play.

For any Cubs fans speculating about Chisholm replacing Hoerner in 2027 and beyond, it may be time to derail that train.

There are too many inconsistencies when it comes to Jazz Chisholm Jr.

While Chisholm is an impactful left-handed bat who posted a 126 wRC+ last year, his all-around contributions pale in comparison to Hoerner. He's got a ton of swing-and-miss in his game, ranking in the bottom 10 percent of hitters in K rate in three of the last five seasons.

The hard truth is there really isn't anybody who can do all the things Hoerner does at the level he does them. Chisholm is a well above-average defender, but Hoerner is elite. The latter is also just as good, if not better, of a threat on the basepaths, and his 7.6 percent strikeout rate last year was about a quarter of Chisholm's. He's just so solid in every facet of the game, making him an invaluable member of the core.

Those hopeful an extension will happen with Hoerner should take solace in the fact that the Cubs held onto him this offseason despite ample trade speculation. They clearly value the speed, defense, and bat-to-ball skills he brings to the table.

If the Cubs do let Hoerner walk in free agency, odds are they'll hand the keystone reins over to Matt Shaw, who was displaced from third base by Alex Bregman. Shaw played both shortstop and second base as he climbed the minor-league ranks, and his glove is the strongest part of his profile right now. Even if he's an uninspiring replacement for Hoerner, at least he wouldn't cost the Cubs a dime.

In other words, don't expect Chisholm to be a primary target of the front office next offseason regardless of what transpires with Hoerner. This team values consistency over streakiness