Cubs’ Nico Hoerner insists that moving back to 2B is not an issue

CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner heard the same message from the Chicago Cubs over and over again. They loved him as shortstop, but they also trusted him at second base.

The matter was resolved when the Cubs signed Dansby Swanson, a Gold Glove shortstop, in free agency.

After Swanson’s retirement, the athletic Hoerner will be returning to second base. $177 million, seven-year contract Last month, Chicago. Swanson and Hoerner should make the Cubs one the best double-play teams in the majors.

“It was a huge move for the direction of this team,” Hoerner said. “You’re getting an impact player that literally played every single game last year. That’s really cool. He also has a great reputation as a player. It’s going to be a big impact for us.”

Hoerner, 25, was a first-round selection in the 2018 Stanford amateur draft. He has played second base in 68 major league games, with 53 starts. He spent the entire last season at shortstop.

“It was always a dream of mine to play shortstop in the major leagues,” Hoerner said Friday on the first day of the team’s fan convention. “Got it for a full year this year.

“But the needs of our team are very clear, and it’s not an issue moving forward at all.”

After going 74-88 last summer, which was their second consecutive losing season, the Cubs made the Swanson move as part of an active winter. In free agency, they also acquired right-hander Jameson Taillon and outfielder Cody Bellinger. They also added first baseman Eric Hosmer, reliever Brad Boxberger, and catcher Tucker Barnhart.

Hosmer signed a $720,000 one-year contract Friday. Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. has been designated for assignment. Hosmer, 33 years old, played in San Diego and Boston last year. He batting.268 with eight outfield homers and 44 RBIs over 104 games.

Jed Hoyer, President Baseball Operations, stated that Hosmer is likely to be the team’s starting first baseman.

“A chance to bring in a guy that’s had some really good years, had a really good career,” Hoyer said. Hoyer said that he believes there is a change in the scenery. … I think that getting him into our environment, I think there’s good years left.”

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