NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have a new name on their radar. And it is not Bo Bichette.
While the free agent shortstop has dominated headlines, the Yankees have quietly shifted their attention elsewhere. A two-time Gold Glove winner from the National League Central has emerged as a potential trade target. The connection could reshape the infield picture in the Bronx heading into 2026.
Anthony Volpe remains sidelined after shoulder surgery in October. His return is not expected until May at the earliest. The Yankees need options. They need answers. And according to multiple reports, they are looking hard at a surprising name.
The Yankees are obsessed with adding a right-handed bat
General manager Brian Cashman has made no secret of his desire to balance the lineup. The Yankees are too left-handed. They need a righty who can make consistent contact. And they want elite defense up the middle.
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden revealed on MLB Radio that the Yankees are pursuing exactly that type of player. His words were clear and direct.
“I’m being told by opposing GMs that the Yankees are pretty obsessed with adding a right-handed bat,” Bowden said. “I’ve also heard them linked to Nico Hoerner.”
Hoerner brings elite contact and Gold Glove defense
The Cubs second baseman checks every box the Yankees are seeking. In 2025, Hoerner hit .297 with a .345 on-base percentage across 156 games. He collected 29 stolen bases and struck out just 7.6 percent of the time. That strikeout rate is among the lowest in all of baseball.
His career batting average sits at .282. He has never posted an OPS-plus below 102 in four full seasons as a starter. He knows how to get on base and put the ball in play. The 28-year-old won his second career Gold Glove Award in November 2025 at second base. Between second and shortstop in his career, he owns 54 Defensive Runs Saved and 74 Outs Above Average.
Hoerner played 1,117 innings at shortstop in 2022. He posted 13 Outs Above Average and 10 DRS that season. His defensive ability translates to both positions.
A trade could signal a change from Volpe at shortstop
The Yankees are not ruling out any options. Volpe hit just .212 with a .663 OPS in 2025. He committed 19 errors, tying for the third most among all shortstops in the majors. His defensive metrics dropped significantly from his Gold Glove campaign in 2023.
Cashman admitted after the season that Volpe’s shoulder injury likely affected his play more than the team realized at the time. The organization still believes in their homegrown shortstop. But they are exploring every avenue to improve in 2026.
Acquiring Hoerner would give the Yankees flexibility. He could play shortstop while Volpe recovers. He could slide to second base if Jazz Chisholm Jr. is traded. He could serve as insurance if Volpe struggles again upon his return.
Hoerner is in the final year of his contract. He is set to make $12 million in 2026 before hitting free agency. The Cubs have been fielding calls about the Stanford product all winter. Chicago signed Alex Bregman this week, which could push Matt Shaw to second base and make Hoerner expendable.
The Cubs need pitching prospects the Yankees can provide
Chicago faces a potential rotation crisis after 2026. Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga and possibly Matthew Boyd could all hit free agency. The Cubs will need to restock the pitching pipeline.
The Yankees have young arms in their system who could interest Chicago. A package centered on pitching prospects might be enough to pry Hoerner loose. The teams discussed a deal involving Will Warren during trade talks for Cody Bellinger last winter. Those conversations could resume.
Hoerner would provide the Yankees with something they have lacked since the Aaron Judge era began. He is a contact hitter who rarely strikes out. He runs well. He plays premium defense. He bats right-handed.
Why Hoerner makes more sense than Bichette
The Yankees have been connected to Bichette for weeks. But the free agent shortstop presents complications. His defense has declined sharply. He ranked in the bottom tier among shortstops with minus-13 Outs Above Average over the past five seasons. He wants a long-term deal potentially worth $300 million.
Hoerner offers a cleaner solution. He would cost prospects, not years of salary commitment. He can play multiple positions at an elite level. His contact-oriented approach would balance a lineup prone to strikeouts.
The Yankees have not made a move since acquiring Ryan McMahon before the 2025 season. Pitchers and catchers report next month. The window to address the infield is closing. Hoerner represents exactly what the front office is seeking. The question now is whether the Cubs are willing to let him go.
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