Nico Hoerner is on the Yankees’ radar

After putting at least two offers on the table to retain the services of Cody Bellinger, the New York Yankees now assume he won't be returning to the Bronx for the next few campaigns. The Bombers are therefore turning to other options, both on the free agent market and the trade market.

According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Yankees are showing legitimate interest in Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner.

The #Yankees have expressed interest in #Cubs INF Nico Hoerner, per @ragazzoreport pic.twitter.com/qgaKSeFeM6

– MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) January 12, 2026

The 28-year-old would be a perfect fit in New York, as he's right-handed, known for being a contact hitter and displays elite defense in the infield, where he has experience at shortstop and second base.

In 2025, Hoerner posted a .297 batting average with a .345 on-base percentage, while adding seven home runs, 29 stolen bases, and a .739 OPS.

Hoerner is not known as a power hitter, but that's not what the Yankees need. Hoerner is a hitter who rarely strikes out on strikes, with a strikeout percentage of 7.6%, which places him in the 99th percentile of MLB hitters.

The problem is, the Bears have no intention of trading him. Hoerner will enter the final year of his contract, but Chicago wants to win immediately and with rookie Matt Shaw at third base, who struggled in his first year in the Majors in 2025, trading him could prove a risk. Plus, his leadership could be missed in the Windy City reps' dressing room if he were to leave.

However, it has been reported that the Cubs will certainly listen to offers, and if the price is mind-boggling, they may change their minds.

This content was created with the help of AI.