Gerrit Cole’s season-ending Tommy John surgery has thrown the New York Yankees’ pitching plans into disarray. This isn’t entirely unexpected, given Cole’s previous elbow issues last season, which led the Yankees to hesitate on extending his contract. The team now faces the challenge of replacing a Cy Young-caliber pitcher.
The Yankees’ pitching depth has been further depleted by Luis Gil’s lat strain, sidelining him for a significant portion of the season. Max Fried now becomes the team’s ace, with Clarke Schmidt, Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman filling out the rotation. Will Warren, who has impressed in spring training, is the front-runner to take the fifth spot.
General Manager Brian Cashman is known for his patient approach, preferring to explore internal options before making trades or free agent signings. However, with Cole’s absence, the team may need to consider external solutions. They might look at free agents like Kyle Gibson, and they will recoup approximately 75% of Cole’s salary through insurance, which helps offset the luxury tax implications of adding a new player.
The trade market could offer more impactful options, particularly as the season progresses. The Miami Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, could be a target, especially given the Marlins’ cost-cutting approach. However, acquiring Alcantara would require a significant prospect package, which could be challenging given the Yankees’ current farm system rankings.
Other potential trade targets could emerge from teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and Houston Astros, depending on their standings as the season unfolds. These teams have valuable pitching assets that could become available if they fall out of contention.
The Yankees will likely weigh all their options before making any significant moves, considering both internal solutions and potential trades. The pitching market could become more active as the season progresses, providing the Yankees with more opportunities to address their pitching needs.
