Further confirmation of various Cubs trade talks on Crochet, Hoerner

On the eve of the start of the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings, I can’t promise you that we’re in for a wild and crazy week, especially for the Chicago Cubs. I think it’s pretty much a lock at this point that we’re in for some big signings and trades as the game progresses, but whether the Cubs will get anything across the finish line is anyone’s guess.

However, we know that the Cubs have been actively trying to make some things happen behind the scenes, and it’s certainly POSSIBLE that the stars aligned just right for this or that move.

To provide some of that background, I thought it would be useful to offer this confirmation from Maddie Lee of the Sun-Times that two of the biggest rumors we’ve heard about are actually true:

“Among those many conversations, they have held at least preliminary talks with the Mariners about Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and with the White Sox about their ace, Garrett Crochet, sources confirmed.”

The Hoerner/Mariners and Cubs/Crochet rumors have already been around, but I think this puts the final stamp on the statement that these are indeed trade talks that have taken place. And it doesn’t necessarily sound like these are deals that have now been ruled out – just that they haven’t been completed yet. It’s not too much of a stretch to surmise that the White Sox are still working on backing Crochet to get the best possible return (which could be held up by certain free agents who haven’t signed yet). It’s also not too much of a stretch to suspect that Hoerner’s interested trade partners might want to see how he continues to progress in his rehab from flexor tendon surgery before pulling the trigger. Perhaps this week will bring news on one or both fronts.

That said, with Crochet known to be on the move at some point this offseason and the Cubs known to be trying to maneuver their position group in some way (with Hoerner and Cody Bellinger being the two most obvious figures), these are among a few storylines that are worth a look this week. Hopefully with some surprises. Hopefully just a few necessary Things like a catcher (just sign Carson Kelly already) and another quality reliever or two.