(670 The Score) After several years of striking out in their attempts to sign key players to contract extensions, the Cubs have reached a deal with one.
Second baseman Nico Hoerner and the Cubs have agreed on a three-year, $35-million contract extension, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Monday evening, three days before Opening Day. The deal isn’t of the long-term variety, but it does allow the Cubs to buy out one year of Hoerner’s eventual free agency. He’ll make about $20 million in the final season of his new deal, Passan reported. Hoerner is now under contract through the 2026 season.
Hoerner, 25, hit .281 with 10 homers, 55 RBIs and a .736 OPS in 135 games in 2022. Prior to that, he had an injury-plagued 2021 season in which he played just 44 games.
Hoerner is also a superb defender, as he was a Gold Glove finalist in 2020. After playing shortstop in 2021, Hoerner moved to second base this offseason as the Cubs added shortstop Dansby Swanson on a seven-year, $177-million deal.
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