I recently listened to a Locked On Cubs podcast that asked this very question. They picked Hoerner as the only player the Cubs should sign after 2026 and I actually agree with them.
Yeah they actually don’t need to rush to extension there especially because of age and control. He’s 28 now and under control through 2029 when he turns 32. Easier to figure out a not crazy extension with someone at that point too and he’s well priced before then. Steele had been the pitcher version of that with a sooner expiration. He’ll be pushing 33 as a free agent so not the same degree of need to extend him before like with others
It shouldn’t be a difficult extension either and it also won’t drastically change the current payroll structure. He already makes $12m so the new amount will just be incremental to that. And it’s not like he’s going to cost $30M haha. The highest paid 2B doesn’t even make $20/year and hits 25/30 HRs a season.
Now his ability to play SS will be a factor in FA so they probably need to a bit extra to offset that, but again it’s not like it’ll turn it into a $30M / year contract haha. With his hitting profile too.
Unless Nico is dead seat on leaving Chicago, it really isn’t a hard contract to figure out. If not they’ll definitely have a hole there and I’m not confident in this FOs ability to adequately find a replacement
I think Nico wants to test FA and here's why. Because of Swanson, the Cubs only view Nico as a 2B, but Nico is also a very good MLB quality SS. SS gets paid more than 2B. Unless the Cubs want to pay Nico as a SS (doubtful), his smarter play is to test FA.
Interesting. I would think they’d want to allow him to continue to prove himself as an above average 3rd basemen as he was in ‘25. If he were to move to 2nd, who do you think would play 3rd? Outside of signing Bregman
Horton is a curveball but I see the reason and would love if he's extended. Curious, What exactly about him does your brain lead you to, stats wise etc? Not arguing here just curious
Heart Nico 100%
Idk if I get Javy vibes from PCA 😭 I pray he's a lifelong cub
I have faith in him, but a lot of players who could be great struggle to develop plate discipline. His floor is at least high with his defense and base running.
I’ve watched enough baseball in my life to know, without a shadow of a doubt, you can’t project a player the way you are projecting PCA… based on a hot 2 month stretch.
The list of highly touted players who fizzled out is a LOT longer than those that have sustained all the way to Cooperstown. And it’s not even close.
I've watched enough baseball to know raw talent when I see it. He was bred for baseball, came from a wealthy family that sent him to travel ball as a child where he played with Paul Skenes. He's not a pitcher like Mark Prior who could have a shoulder issue/mechanical problem that will sideline his career. He's got the athleticism, natural talent, and build to be a center fielder for the ages.
Depends how PCA adjusts. If we get the first half PCA, he will definitely test the market. If we get all the other PCAs then he will be easy to resign.
Nico, Seiya, PCA, and Busch. I'm all for extending Busch and PCA during their arbitration years.
Along with Dansby, build a core around those guys. I love Happ, but I'd let him go unless he was signing another team friendly deal. With Caisse waiting in the wings and Alcantara out of options, someone from either LF or RF needs to go after this year.
Seiya can carry a team with his hot stretches and is still young enough to sign another 3-4 year deal.
Seiya is tricky because he would stay a DH on the Cubs, which I’m cool with, but I know last off season he put feelers out there to see if any other team could offer him a deal to play outfield again.
PCA and Busch don’t need a deal for like 4-5 years, so money could be better spent now getting a big bat to replace Tucker.
They're going to roll with Moises and Caissie to replace Tucker's spot in the lineup. They won't match his production, but they're not going to go after Bregman or Bichette. Signing Bregman to a huge deal would be a mistake anyway. Nice player, but he's not a game changer and not worth $30M/yr
Yeah I can’t say I’m too confident in negotiations going well with Seiya because of the two sides differences in roles/expectations. He wants to play outfield and more importantly wants to get paid like an outfielder. But he’s a DH on the Cubs and they’ll want to pay him as if he’s a DH
I like keeping the band together, so I'd be in favor of extending all three of Nico, Seiya and Happ. I get that Happ is streaky in season, but he has been so consistently good year by year. How many LFers have averaged 4 war over the past 4 years?
I would def extend Nico. It shouldn’t be a crazy deal (no slug). Maybe 6/$125M? And I would try and sign PCA at a semi team friendly deal thru his age 30. Something slightly less than Corbin Carroll. He probably balks, which is fine, we have him locked up for at least 4 more years anyway.
He’s likely the RF for this year, so I guess we’ll see. I haven’t seen any advanced fielding metrics on him, but as you said, I’m going off anecdotal evidence.
All advanced stats rate him as average or slightly below in his range at RF, but has a plus arm. With PCA in CF, Seiya can play RF just fine even if he lacks range a bit
I have no idea where the narrative that Seiya is a bad outfielder came from, even including the bad couple drops he's had. He is statistically average, as you said. There are so many worse RFs out there that it boggles my mind that people act like he's a crutch in the field.
He misplayed a ton of balls in 2024 that led to some unfortunate sequences. It does seem like that was an outlier year. He should be just an average to below RF
Hoerner is the only one that makes sense. Everyone else is too old (I don’t want to extend a 32yo Happ), too young (we’ll have guys like PCA for a while anyway), or not valuable enough. Maybe a 3 year deal with Steele once he reaches FA, but even then I wouldn’t pay more than $15-$20M AAV.
Edit: fwiw the contract I would offer to Nico would be close to 4/$80M. Maybe 5/$95M if he wants the extra year. He’s immensely valuable, but not the type of player that usually reaches $100M+ in free agency.
PCA. If he’s not much better than he is now, you’ve locked in outfield Dansby. If he takes the next step to superstar you’ve got him locked in. If he takes that step and you haven’t extended him he’s gone because they won’t pay big contracts.
Hoerner all the way. I wish he was a life long Cub. I’m going to lose my mind if they let him get away. PCA needs to learn from Nico’s contact hitting style, and stop swinging for the fence on every pitch. If he could do that he’d be a real threat as leadoff tearing around the bases. I honestly think Buschy could turn into a slug monster with a little more work.
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Agree with Hoerner because his biggest upside is his defense which is not likely to decline. Obviously also a phenomenal contact hitter. At worst he would be a good trade piece down the road. I can’t imagine he’s the only extension as Dansby is the only player signed past 2026. I’d say maybe Seiya or Happ (not both). In the Locked On episode, they excluded Arb and pre-arb players from their discussion. I would love to see them offer contracts to PCA and Busch this season. That sounds like a solid core moving forward (PCA, Busch, Hoerner).
Edit: forgot they signed Maton for a multi year deal so I guess Swanson isn’t the only one signed (not including options) past 2026.
Hoerner, that’s about it
Maybe Busch
He’s good until like 2029
Yeah they actually don’t need to rush to extension there especially because of age and control. He’s 28 now and under control through 2029 when he turns 32. Easier to figure out a not crazy extension with someone at that point too and he’s well priced before then. Steele had been the pitcher version of that with a sooner expiration. He’ll be pushing 33 as a free agent so not the same degree of need to extend him before like with others
Nico. I think they will, too. They should be able to extend him with terms that align with Jed/Ricketts spending philosophy.
It shouldn’t be a difficult extension either and it also won’t drastically change the current payroll structure. He already makes $12m so the new amount will just be incremental to that. And it’s not like he’s going to cost $30M haha. The highest paid 2B doesn’t even make $20/year and hits 25/30 HRs a season. Now his ability to play SS will be a factor in FA so they probably need to a bit extra to offset that, but again it’s not like it’ll turn it into a $30M / year contract haha. With his hitting profile too.
Unless Nico is dead seat on leaving Chicago, it really isn’t a hard contract to figure out. If not they’ll definitely have a hole there and I’m not confident in this FOs ability to adequately find a replacement
I think Nico wants to test FA and here's why. Because of Swanson, the Cubs only view Nico as a 2B, but Nico is also a very good MLB quality SS. SS gets paid more than 2B. Unless the Cubs want to pay Nico as a SS (doubtful), his smarter play is to test FA.
Nico and his fiancé want to stay in Chicago long term (via a close source)
I've heard things like this before. I'm not saying it's untrue, but I have a hard time believing he'll take millions less to stay in Chicago.
There will be significant pressure from the union to take a large offer.
It’s obviously Hoerner. In fact it’s so obvious that this FO probably sees it as the best opportunity to trade him and keep you know who for 2B.
Nico has been my favorite player since he debuted and I’m just not confident at all the FO can actually extend him
I don’t know who…
They’d put Shaw there.
Interesting. I would think they’d want to allow him to continue to prove himself as an above average 3rd basemen as he was in ‘25. If he were to move to 2nd, who do you think would play 3rd? Outside of signing Bregman
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My brain says Horton. Buy out his arbitration and extend.
My heart says Nico. Consistent and clutch hitter.
I'd wait on PCA. Getting Javy vibes.
Horton is a curveball but I see the reason and would love if he's extended. Curious, What exactly about him does your brain lead you to, stats wise etc? Not arguing here just curious
Heart Nico 100%
Idk if I get Javy vibes from PCA 😭 I pray he's a lifelong cub
Need to see another year from Horton b4 extension. PCA only if it’s team friendly. Lot of holes in his Offense.
I think the differentiating factor between PCA & Javy is defense.
Yes, Javy made some tremendous magical plays.
PCA makes plays with like a 10% catch rate seem routine. And that doesn't go away for a longggggg time.
Javy was an all-star this year and lead his team to the playoffs
Nico needs to be a Cub for life. Blank check.
15 year deal for PCA
Armstrong needs to stay a Cubbie for life.
If PCA leaves after his 6th full season, it will be worst things the Cubs ever did. The guy is a HOFer in the making.
I have faith in him, but a lot of players who could be great struggle to develop plate discipline. His floor is at least high with his defense and base running.
He was a gem for a couple of months early on, then fell off the table offensively. We don’t know who he is yet. I’d take it easy on the HOF narrative.
All he needs is the right hitting coach. Unless his legs get destroyed, at the very least, he's a guaranteed stolen base and a gold glover.
I’ve watched enough baseball in my life to know, without a shadow of a doubt, you can’t project a player the way you are projecting PCA… based on a hot 2 month stretch.
The list of highly touted players who fizzled out is a LOT longer than those that have sustained all the way to Cooperstown. And it’s not even close.
I still can't believe Jerome Walton didn't make the Hall of Fame.
I've watched enough baseball to know raw talent when I see it. He was bred for baseball, came from a wealthy family that sent him to travel ball as a child where he played with Paul Skenes. He's not a pitcher like Mark Prior who could have a shoulder issue/mechanical problem that will sideline his career. He's got the athleticism, natural talent, and build to be a center fielder for the ages.
Every trait you’ve mentioned is common among ALL of MLB. Every one of them is elite.
You’ll just have to excuse me if I don’t believe you have some sort of “eye for talent” that no one else in history has ever had.
A 21 yo kid has 2 hot months and you’re punching his ticket to Cooperstown. Good grief.
Depends how PCA adjusts. If we get the first half PCA, he will definitely test the market. If we get all the other PCAs then he will be easy to resign.
He’s somewhere in between Ken Griffey Jr and Jackie Bradley Jr. i’d probably hold off to see what he does next year
Would be insane until he shores up his discipline at the plate and is able to produce after a year full of tape for opposing pitchers
Nico, Nico, Nico
Nico, Seiya, PCA, and Busch. I'm all for extending Busch and PCA during their arbitration years.
Along with Dansby, build a core around those guys. I love Happ, but I'd let him go unless he was signing another team friendly deal. With Caisse waiting in the wings and Alcantara out of options, someone from either LF or RF needs to go after this year.
Seiya can carry a team with his hot stretches and is still young enough to sign another 3-4 year deal.
They have Busch through his age 31 season (2029). I don’t think there’s any reason to extend him beyond that right now.
That's fair, but he also might sign a team friendly extension before the market inflates even more
He's Arbitration eligible in 2027 though. So if he puts up another solid year he will get expensive for his final few years.
Buying those out plus another few years for $11M a year like we did Nico would be smart.
Seiya is tricky because he would stay a DH on the Cubs, which I’m cool with, but I know last off season he put feelers out there to see if any other team could offer him a deal to play outfield again.
PCA and Busch don’t need a deal for like 4-5 years, so money could be better spent now getting a big bat to replace Tucker.
They're going to roll with Moises and Caissie to replace Tucker's spot in the lineup. They won't match his production, but they're not going to go after Bregman or Bichette. Signing Bregman to a huge deal would be a mistake anyway. Nice player, but he's not a game changer and not worth $30M/yr
Yeah I can’t say I’m too confident in negotiations going well with Seiya because of the two sides differences in roles/expectations. He wants to play outfield and more importantly wants to get paid like an outfielder. But he’s a DH on the Cubs and they’ll want to pay him as if he’s a DH
Happy and Seiya will be playing elsewhere in 2027.
Nico Hoerner 100%
Extend Nico and Cade and PCA.
Nico.
Nico, final answer
Happer and Nico should be Cubs for life
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You think Happ is in the locker room throwing fits about being relegated to the bench or something?
A 4 WAR player that's a 4x gold glover with a 120+ OPS isn't an everyday player? Are you hearing yourself?
How is Happ stubborn?
I like keeping the band together, so I'd be in favor of extending all three of Nico, Seiya and Happ. I get that Happ is streaky in season, but he has been so consistently good year by year. How many LFers have averaged 4 war over the past 4 years?
Nico Hoerner.
At this point, Nico.
Nico
I would def extend Nico. It shouldn’t be a crazy deal (no slug). Maybe 6/$125M? And I would try and sign PCA at a semi team friendly deal thru his age 30. Something slightly less than Corbin Carroll. He probably balks, which is fine, we have him locked up for at least 4 more years anyway.
Hoerner and I only say that because my heart would break if he’s traded
Nico all the way
Busch, PCA, Hoerner, Happ.
Substitute Happ for Seiya
Seiya is a good bat, but a bad glove. He’s probably a DH going forward.
Seiya is a perfectly fine glove. He's an average outfielder with a good arm. He gets a bad rep because he had a few bad drops in his 3 years.
People act like he's Kyle Schwarber and strictly a DH for no reason lol. Seiya looked great in RF last year when Tucker DH'd
He looked better than Tucker in right tbh. Tuck played so scared out there.
He’s likely the RF for this year, so I guess we’ll see. I haven’t seen any advanced fielding metrics on him, but as you said, I’m going off anecdotal evidence.
All advanced stats rate him as average or slightly below in his range at RF, but has a plus arm. With PCA in CF, Seiya can play RF just fine even if he lacks range a bit
Appreciate the info. I certainly like his bat. Hope he stays healthy this year. Plus he seems like a nice (and funny) guy.
His offensive numbers are better when he plays the field as well.
I have no idea where the narrative that Seiya is a bad outfielder came from, even including the bad couple drops he's had. He is statistically average, as you said. There are so many worse RFs out there that it boggles my mind that people act like he's a crutch in the field.
He misplayed a ton of balls in 2024 that led to some unfortunate sequences. It does seem like that was an outlier year. He should be just an average to below RF
They think of his drop in 2023 against Atlanta. That's it. He's perfectly fine out there.
His routes are there were really ugly
What about Amaya?
Happ needs to go. Thank you for your service, go retire somewhere warm
Not Matt Shaw, he can get fucked.
“Hey man do you know directions to the Applebees?”
“NOT MATT SHAW!!!”
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Imai and Tucker
Tucker only if he’s cool with $200-$220 MAX. Anything more and he can go
Seiya
Not Shaw
Sadly, that's about it.
Team friendly - maybe consider PCA.....possibly.
PCA! Buy out his first couple free agency years and get a high floor everyday centerfielder.
Hoerner is the only one that makes sense. Everyone else is too old (I don’t want to extend a 32yo Happ), too young (we’ll have guys like PCA for a while anyway), or not valuable enough. Maybe a 3 year deal with Steele once he reaches FA, but even then I wouldn’t pay more than $15-$20M AAV.
Edit: fwiw the contract I would offer to Nico would be close to 4/$80M. Maybe 5/$95M if he wants the extra year. He’s immensely valuable, but not the type of player that usually reaches $100M+ in free agency.
Never Matt shaw
Horton, Nico , PCA, Busch….
Nico….Thats it
Hoerner, PCA, Busch. I want at least another decade with these guys
PCA. If he’s not much better than he is now, you’ve locked in outfield Dansby. If he takes the next step to superstar you’ve got him locked in. If he takes that step and you haven’t extended him he’s gone because they won’t pay big contracts.
PCA
PCA
Horner, Busch, PCA.
Hoerner all the way. I wish he was a life long Cub. I’m going to lose my mind if they let him get away. PCA needs to learn from Nico’s contact hitting style, and stop swinging for the fence on every pitch. If he could do that he’d be a real threat as leadoff tearing around the bases. I honestly think Buschy could turn into a slug monster with a little more work.
None
There isn’t a single player on their roster as of now they should extend without a doubt.
Seiya.
Everyone saying Nico is going to be so sad when they trade him for a middle of the rotation SP and give 2B to Shaw.
PCA, Happ, and Horton. Possibly Steele.
I’m a homer, what can I say?
Trade Shaw for a bag of baseballs.
I want Nico to be life long cub 🙏
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Happ
Glad to see Nico getting the support he is in this thread. Seems like the one thing Cubs fans can agree on is that Hoerner should be a Cub for life.
Agree with Hoerner because his biggest upside is his defense which is not likely to decline. Obviously also a phenomenal contact hitter. At worst he would be a good trade piece down the road. I can’t imagine he’s the only extension as Dansby is the only player signed past 2026. I’d say maybe Seiya or Happ (not both). In the Locked On episode, they excluded Arb and pre-arb players from their discussion. I would love to see them offer contracts to PCA and Busch this season. That sounds like a solid core moving forward (PCA, Busch, Hoerner).
Edit: forgot they signed Maton for a multi year deal so I guess Swanson isn’t the only one signed (not including options) past 2026.
Anyone besides Happ.