(670 The Score) In signing star shortstop Dansby Swanson to a seven-year deal this offseason, the Cubs also saw a benefit of the move as cementing a key presence at second base.
That’s because Nico Hoerner has shifted from shortstop to second base for the Cubs to accommodate Swanson's addition. For Hoerner, the move over to second base feels natural after he served as the team's primary shortstop in 2022.
“Not a ton of adjustment,” Hoerner told reporters at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on Thursday. “I think going from short to second is definitely easier than going from second to short. Moving left to right is a little bit different in feeding double plays, and then footwork around second on turns. I think those are the main two things in my mind.
“I don’t think it’s that big of a challenge, honestly. It’s something I've done before. I've played it for multiple years. I think shortstop is a little bit more natural for me, but I'm definitely ready to play second base.”
The 25-year-old Hoerner played in 135 games for the Cubs last season, hitting .281 with 10 homers, 55 RBIs and a .736 OPS. He played shortstop in 133 of those 135 games.
A first-round pick of the Cubs in 2018, Hoerner has played 172 of his 247 career MLB games at shortstop. He has also played second base, third base, left field, center field and designated hitter during his young career. When the Cubs dealt Javier Baez away just ahead of the trade deadline in 2021, the shortstop position was opened for Hoerner to claim.
Swanson, 29, was an All-Star selection and won a Gold Glove at shortstop for the Braves in 2022, when he hit .277 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs.
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