The Cubs are signing infielder Nico Hoerner to a three-year, $35 million contract extension, according to a Monday evening report from Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Hoerner, 25, is entering his fifth season with Chicago; the extension will buy out two arbitration years as well as his first year of free agency. The Oakland native will reportedly make $15 million and $20 million in his last two arbitration years.
In 2022, Hoerner was one of the few bright spots on a 74–88 Cubs team. He hit .281 in 135 games—good for eighth in the National League—a season after hitting .302. His five triples, 20 stolen bases and 1.9 defensive bWAR ranked fourth, ninth and 10th in the league, respectively.
Hoerner has been one of the organization's top prospects since Chicago took him 24th overall out of Stanford in the 2018 MLB draft.
The Cubs open the 2023 season Thursday afternoon against the Brewers.
