The New York Yankees are fresh off reaching their first World Series since 2009. General manager Brian Cashman has been busy improving the roster after losing outfielder Juan Soto via free agency. Could Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner be his next target?
Despite the moves New York has already made this winter, there's still one more obvious area to improve. Second baseman Gleyber Torres signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, leaving a hole on the right side of the infield. If the Bombers decide to keep Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base, they'll need someone else to take over the keystone.
The Yankees have been linked to Hoerner in the rumor mill previously this offseason. They've also reportedly been interested in trying to offload starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. Could Cashman send him to the Cubs in exchange for Hoerner?
Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer proposed the following hypothetical deal:
- Yankees receive: second baseman Nico Noerner
- Cubs receive: right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman, infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, shortstop Roderick Arias and cash
"This is, admittedly, a reach from the Cubs' perspective. They're not hurting for prospects, and going from Hoerner to Cabrera on the infield would be a downgrade," Rymer wrote. "On the plus side, adding Stroman next to Shōta Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd would give them a heck of a starting five. A group like that could win the NL Central title that has eluded the Cubs since the shortened 2020 season."
Hoerner, who won a Gold Glove Award in 2023 for Chicago, is under contract through 2026 on a three-year, $35 million deal. According to Spotrac, he's set to earn $11.5 million in 2025 and $12 million in 2026.
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