The New York Yankees made waves last offseason with some headline-grabbing moves-signing Max Fried, bringing in Devin Williams, and swinging several trades leading up to the deadline. They didn’t land Juan Soto, but they certainly made their presence felt. Fast forward to this winter, and things have been noticeably quieter in the Bronx.
Outside of Trent Grisham sticking around and a few marginal moves, the Yankees haven’t made the kind of splash their fans have come to expect. But that doesn’t mean the front office is standing still.
General Manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that the team is open to exploring trade options, including the possibility of moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. Still, the Yankees have yet to land that marquee offseason signing-the kind that signals they’re all-in for a World Series push.
One of last season’s more under-the-radar but highly effective moves was the addition of Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran first baseman didn’t just bring a steady bat; he brought leadership and defensive reliability.
Goldy slashed .274 with 10 home runs in pinstripes, and his impact went beyond the box score. Against left-handed pitching, only Aaron Judge posted a better wRC+ among right-handed Yankees hitters.
That’s elite company-and it shows just how valuable Goldschmidt was in a platoon role with Ben Rice.
Now, with Goldschmidt no longer in the fold and Rice occasionally shifting behind the plate, the Yankees find themselves with a clear need at first base. They need a right-handed bat who can handle left-handed pitching and provide some thump in the lineup-ideally without breaking the bank.
Enter Rhys Hoskins.
Hoskins might not be the blockbuster name fans are craving, but he checks a lot of boxes. He’s cost-effective, has proven power, and fits the mold of a complementary piece in a platoon setup. His time with the Phillies showcased his ability to hit for power-34 homers in 2018, 30 in 2022-and when he’s surrounded by the right talent, he can be a real asset in the middle of a lineup.
According to Joel Reuter, Hoskins could be a strong platoon candidate for New York, much like Goldschmidt was last season. The Yankees leaned on Goldy in matchups against lefties, and pairing Rice with a right-handed veteran like Hoskins would be a logical continuation of that strategy.
Of course, Hoskins’ most recent stint with the Brewers didn’t go as planned. It was, frankly, a rough chapter in his career.
But that could work in the Yankees’ favor. With interest around the league reportedly lukewarm, New York might be able to land him on a short-term, low-risk deal-an ideal scenario for a team that still has several roster holes to address.
The Yankees are rumored to be in the mix for Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, but until a deal gets done, the offseason remains in a holding pattern. There’s still time for Cashman to make a major move, but in the meantime, adding a player like Hoskins could be a smart, strategic step toward solidifying the roster.
New York doesn’t just need stars-they need depth, versatility, and players who can step into defined roles and produce. Hoskins might not be the headline-grabber, but he could be exactly the kind of piece that helps the Yankees stay competitive through the grind of a 162-game season.