The New York Yankees might face a significant roster gap to address this offseason.
While the team considers a long-term deal with free agent Juan Soto, it may also face the loss of other key players. Among them is second baseman Gleyber Torres, a two-time All-Star during his seven seasons with the Yankees, who could potentially sign with a new team for the 2025 season.
In his projection of the Yankees’ “ideal offseason” for *The Athletic*, Chris Kirschner proposed a one-for-one trade with the Chicago Cubs. This deal would secure a replacement for Gleyber Torres while moving a starting pitcher entering his final year of arbitration.
“The Yankees need a second baseman with Gleyber Torres entering free agency,” Kirschner explained. “The Chicago Cubs are in the market for starting pitching. Could the two teams agree on a one-for-one trade, with the Yankees acquiring infielder Nico Hoerner? Hoerner is set to earn $11.67 million next season, while Cortes is projected to make $7.7 million in arbitration. Cortes will reach free agency after next season, whereas Hoerner remains under contract through 2026.”
From a financial standpoint, the Cubs might see value in gaining payroll flexibility by trading Nico Hoerner for Nestor Cortes. Despite Cortes finishing 2024 with a 3.77 ERA and surrendering a game-winning grand slam in his lone World Series relief appearance, he is a former All-Star who could provide a solid back-end rotation option for Chicago in 2025.
The Yankees might view Nico Hoerner as a notable improvement over Gleyber Torres.
“Hoerner would bring significantly better defense and baserunning to second base compared to Torres,” Kirschner noted. “The Yankees are focused on strengthening their fundamentals.”
While Hoerner may not match Torres’ power at the plate, he led the Cubs in hits during the 2024 season, posting a .273/.335/.373 slash line compared to Torres’ .257/.330/.378.
If the Yankees don’t make a significant move to replace Torres should he leave, they might turn to prospect Caleb Durbin as their everyday second baseman. However, with a Gold Glove Award and a career .981 fielding percentage over six MLB seasons, Hoerner would offer a more established and reliable option.
As the Yankees aim for a World Series return in 2025, they would likely feel more confident with a veteran handling second base.
