The New York Yankees still have one more hole to plug before the 2025 season begins.
Though most of the lineup has been retooled after the loss of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, the Yankees still need one more infielder. The departure of two-time All-Star Gleyber Torres also left a vacancy in the leadoff spot.
The good news is that Jazz Chisholm Jr. can flex between second and third base, giving the Yankees some flexibility as to who they can acquire. But with the free-agent market mostly picked clean, the Yankees may have to search for trades.
One trade chip the Yankees can choose to cash in is starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt. The soon-to-be 29-year-old is coming off a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts last season, and projects as only the number-five starter in a loaded Yankees rotation.
In a YouTube video published Saturday, content creator Robbie Hyde proposed a hypothetical one-for-one swap: Schmidt for Chicago Cubs Gold Glove second baseman Nico Hoerner.
“This would be an everyday option to plug in there,” Hyde said. “This is a guy with a high-contact bat… You could put him at second base and move Jazz Chisholm back to third. Whatever it may be, I think it would be an awesome addition for the Yankees.”
“(Schmidt) took a big step forward this past year… I think it would be a nice addition for the Cubs rotation.”
Hoerner, 27, has racked up 13.0 bWAR in the last three seasons by playing fantastic defense, running the bases well, and hitting for a high average despite his limited power. His career OPS+ sits at 100, but that’s a positive contribution from a Gold Glove middle infielder.
Only one season into the three-year, $35 million arbitration extension he signed with the Cubs, Hoerner’s two-year window is an ideal fit for the Yankees as well. They can worry about a potential extension later, but he wouldn’t burden their payroll in the meantime.
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