Hoerner, Shaw react to Cubs adding Bregman, uncertainty about their futures

When the Cubs announced the addition of third baseman Alex Bregman on Thursday, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talked about a plan of using incumbent third baseman Matt Shaw at a variety of positions, and he repeated how much he values second baseman Nico Hoerner.

On Friday, before opening night of the Cubs Convention, both players had a chance to share their thoughts.

“I love playing for the Cubs,” Hoerner said. “I'm so excited for this season and the roster that we have going into this year. I think that (addition) just lets all of us know the kind of direction we're on.”

One conceivable path is the Cubs would trade Hoerner, perhaps as a cost-cutting move, and use Shaw at second base. That outcome doesn't seem likely, but Hoyer mentioned it's his job to listen when other teams start calling.

“I think it's just a part of being close to free agency and not having a trade clause, right?” Hoerner said. “Above all, just remembering that it's not a personal thing and the team's job is to always make the best possible roster they have the ability to do.”

Shaw said he found out about the Cubs adding Bregman when his wife saw a notification on her phone Sunday.

“Of course, you're kind of looking at it like, 'Oh, man, where am I going to play?'” Shaw said. “And you get a little anxious about those things, because the team knows me good enough at this point to know I just want to be prepared when the season comes around.

“So, of course, I immediately have questions like, 'Am I going to go here? Am I going to go there?' And they've been transparent with me, just kind of helping me to understand the role of moving to different positions, giving guys an off-day here and there. I'm pretty excited about it.”

Spending time as an extra outfielder has been mentioned a few times, and Shaw says he's ready for that role. He played some outfield early in college at Maryland, and he said he spent the entire summer after that freshman year playing center field.

“I played outfield growing up a lot,” Shaw said. “So I look forward to running around out there. Outfield's definitely fun.”

Ian Happ made a pitch for the Cubs not to trade Hoerner.

“Other teams having interest in a player doesn't mean anything to our group,” Happ said. “We'll see what happens, but obviously one of my best friends in the game and a guy that I love going to war with.”

Class of '15

Alex Bregman was the No. 2 pick of the 2015 MLB draft by Houston. Dansby Swanson went first overall, while the Cubs took Ian Happ with the ninth pick.

“Asked for it last year,” Swanson said of the Cubs signing Bregman. “It's just a year later, but somebody I've always wanted to play with again. Just couldn't be more thrilled for what's ahead.

“He's a guy that you want in your corner. He cares about the right things. He wants to win games. He wants to impact the clubhouse. There's no reason why we shouldn't be really good with him holding down third base every day.”

Pitcher Jameson Taillon provided more details about his in-Face meeting with Bregman not long after the move became official. The two live in the same Arizona neighborhood.

“I texted him when the news broke and I was like, 'Dude, let's freaking go,'” Taillon said. “He FaceTimed me, he was like, 'Hey we're just finishing up dinner. Can I come over?' I was on the couch watching the Bears game, about to go to bed, and I cleaned up the place and made a margarita. Yeah, it was just really exciting,

“He's already making an impact. He was at Wrigley all day today, just interacting with everyone. So I think it's just a great addition.”

Cabrera arrives:

Friday served as the introduction for new Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera, who arrived in a trade with Miami for Owen Caissie and two other prospects. The Dominican Republic native posted a 3.53 ERA with the Marlins last season.

“Cabrera is super exciting,” pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “You see him, he looks how pitchers should look. He's got the prototypical power pitcher body (at 6-foot-5). I remember facing him last year and just really admiring his stuff and how loud it is, how hard he throws, his change-up.

“All these guys just make me feel bad about myself with their velocity and stuff. I watched Cade (Horton) throw a bullpen today and watched Cabby play catch. We're definitely going to have some more stuff in the rotation and that's just really exciting.”

Around the horn:

Jed Hoyer on outfielder Kyle Tucker officially leaving the Cubs and signing with the Dodgers for a record $57.1 million in net present value per season.

“He's a star and he got paid like a star,” Hoyer said. “I'm happy for him, you know? I think he's going to a place where he obviously can win. And it makes me happy that we were a good platform for him to have a good year and to play in the postseason and to get paid.” …

Cubs manager Craig Counsell is a Wisconsin native, so he wasn't all that happy about the Bears playoff victory over Green Bay. “Look, I grew up a Packers fan for sure,” he said. “(But) when a team hasn't done well for a while and starts doing well, you see what it does to a city. And you feel it. So honestly, that part of me, you root for that a little bit.”