Red Sox fans dreaming of Nico Hoerner better check the Cubs’ generational demands

After missing out on Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, the Boston Red Sox quickly pivoted, re-focusing on pitching and signing Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million deal earlier this month.

Without a big infield addition, Craig Breslow's club faces some serious questions - ones that could, at least in the short-term, be addressed by syncing up with the Chicago Cubs on a Nico Hoerner trade. While the fit is there, I have a hard time believing the Red Sox are ready to meet the Cubs' asking price, which is rumored to be comparable to what Chicago sent to Houston last offseason in the Kyle Tucker trade.

FanGraphs projects former top prospect Marcelo Meyer as the team's everyday third baseman, with keystone duties going to Romy Gonzalez. Meyer is heading into his first full big-league season, so it's way too soon to be hitting the panic button over his offensive struggles in 2025. The 23-year-old infielder punched out in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances and carried an 80 wRC+ in 136 trips to the plate.

But even assuming he takes a step forward in 2026, Gonzalez isn't exactly an infield anchor. Sure, he's coming off the best year of his career (.305/.343/.483 in 341 PAs), but models universally project him crashing back to earth this season - and his defense at second graded out as solidly below-average, as well.

Red Sox need to add an elite infield defender like Nico Hoerner

Hoerner, meanwhile, ranks as one of the premier defensive players in the game - and given how the Red Sox front office has built this team (one centered around pitching), run prevention is going to be the name of the game. Adding a two-time Gold Glover to the infield mix would be a major upgrade in that department, allowing Gonzalez to shift into a bench role for manager Alex Cora.

Again, it's not the fit that's the problem. It's Jed Hoyer's understandably sky-high asking price. There's no question the 2026 Cubs are a better team with Hoerner in the mix and Matt Shaw roving as a utility player. But if Breslow pushed his chips in on a Hoerner trade and blew Chicago away with an offer (and that's what it'll take) - a deal could take shape.

When the Cubs acquired Tucker last winter, they sent Hayden Wesneski, All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes and highly-regarded prospect Cam Smith to the Astros. It's going to take a comparable package centered around someone like Connelly Early or Payton Tolle to get Hoyer to listen - and you can bet that Red Sox fans will shudder at the mere thought.