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By Shaun McAvoy
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Chicago Cubs will likely have to spend big if the team wants to retain one of its top players after next season.
The Cubs lost Kyle Tucker this offseason after just one season, since they were unwilling to give the superstar outfielder a massive, long-term extension. Now, Chicago will have to make a similar decision about whether to extend Gold Glove infielder Nico Hoerner before next offseason.
Hoerner has spent his entire career with the Cubs, and CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicts that the 28-year-old will stay with the team, signing a six-year extension worth roughly $120 million.
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"Teams keep calling about Hoerner this offseason and it's easy to understand why. He's an excellent all-around player," Axisa wrote Monday. "He's also one of several core Cubs players set to hit free agency after this coming season, along with Ian Happ, Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, and Jameson Taillon. Trying to extend him again this spring isn't just a possibility; I suspect the Cubs will make a strong push to get a deal done.
"As with Chisholm, another middle infielder a year away from free agency, the Adames contract is a reasonable benchmark for Hoerner. That's a seven-year, $182 million deal. Hoerner's lack of power (he's averaged eight homers per 162 games in his career) works against him and will limit offers somewhat. With his 29th birthday coming up in May, something like six years and $20 million per year might be more in line with market value. That's $120 million total."
Hoerner slashed .297/.345/.394 with seven home runs and 61 RBIs and has been one of the team's most consistent players. The Cubs already extended the Gold Glove infielder once before, so it will be interesting to see if the team is willing to spend more to retain Hoerner this time around.
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