Rumors suggest hope isn't lost for Yankees to still make trade for Nico Hoerner

Although the New York Yankees are now down in Tampa getting ready for the 2026 season, it doesn't mean that the time to make additions to the roster prior to Opening Day has passed. Spring training trades and signings aren't uncommon, though the majority of said transactions are mere tinkering at the fringes of the roster.

Not to mention, you can never rule out a splash of sorts, and it seems that ideal trade target Nico Hoerner can still be had.

Reporting on the Yankees' search for a right-handed bat, the New York Post's Joel Sherman brought Hoerner up as a potential fit.

"An ideal candidate for the Yankees would be Nico Hoerner. The Cubs were open to moving him at points during this offseason, especially after the signing of Alex Bregman that could allow Matt Shaw to shift to second base. Among his many assets, Hoerner is an elite defensive second baseman, an outstanding baserunner and someone who hit .369 vs. lefties last year with just a 5.4 strikeout percentage. But he is due $12 million for 2026 before becoming a free agent, and the Cubs would have to get a strong return to consider dealing him," Sherman wrote.

Yankees still might be able to pull off a much-needed trade for Nico Hoerner

Sherman lays out the case well. Hoerner's a right-handed contact maven with an exceptional glove. But there's even more to like.

First, let's address one potential obstacle. Hoerner is a second baseman, but the Yankees already have an All-Star manning the position in Jazz Chisholm Jr. There are two ways around that problem. The less-ideal path is moving Chisholm Jr. back to third, a position he's played out of necessity, but caused his shoulder to bark last season. The preferred way to deal with the glut would be to leverage Hoerner's ability to play shortstop.

It's been a while, but the 28-year-old has put in stellar work at short earlier in his career. He last played the position in 2022 and posted a sparkling 13 outs above average. Doing that would eventually force an uncomfortable Anthony Volpe conversation, but let's be honest, that's long overdue.

Hoerner is also a terror on the bases. Over the past four seasons, he's averaged 30 steals per year, with a career-high 43 coming in 2023. Paired with Chisholm Jr., he could give the Yankees' offense another dimension through the running game.

The Yankees might think they've done enough to bring righty balance by re-signing Paul Goldschmidt. They might prefer to prioritize a right-handed hitting outfielder, which isn't invalid, but kind of misses the point. They can have those things and still go after Hoerner... if they want to.

And they should want to. 38-year-old Paul Goldschmidt isn't a difference maker. Neither is 34-year-old Randal Grichuk, nor another comparable right-handed-hitting outfielder of his ilk. Hoerner is, in many ways. As Sherman notes, he'll be expensive, but he'll be worth it.

That cost might not be as prohibitive as you might think, however. The Red Sox were one of the prime suitors for Hoerner, but with Caleb Durbin now in the fold they're likely out. The Cubs might not have as much leverage as they think, either. Matt Shaw is their future, and holding on to Hoerner in hopes of getting a comp pick next offseason is undervaluing him. There's a reasonable deal to be had if the Yankees are bold enough to pursue it.