Yankees' Pitching Plan Becoming Crystal Clear Amid Confusing Rumors

1 week ago 2

The New York Yankees seem to be very interested in adding a starting pitcher, so why aren't they in on any of the top arms in free agency?

At the time of writing this, the Yankees do not appear to be all that interested in Tatsuya Imai, whose shot clock is about to expire. Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are not even on New York's radar, Dylan Cease instantly signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and Michael King re-upped with the San Diego Padres in spite of reports that said he may have been Bronx-bound.

So what's the deal?

Well, it seems pretty evident that the Yankees are not in love with any of the pitchers available on the open market, and it's hard to blame them.

Imai is talented for sure, but he is an unproven commodity apparently seeking $200 million. Valdez is 32 years old and posted a 3.66 ERA last season. Suarez has a checkered injury history and is more of a good No. 2 (or maybe even a very high-end No. 3) than an ace.

With New York watching its payroll closely, you can understand why the Yanks aren't exactly frothing at the mouth to sign any of these hurlers to lucrative long-term contracts.

It's becoming clear that if the Yankees are going to acquire another starter, it's going to be via trade, which is why we have heard names like Freddy Peralta, Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera and MacKenzie Gore connected to the Bronx throughout the offseason.

While New York would have to surrender prospect capital to land one of those pitchers, the financial burden would not be as significant. At least not in the short term.

Outside of Alcantara, who is slated to earn a still-manageable $17.3 million salary in 2026 and who carries a $21 million club option for 2027, the other starters are very affordable.

For the cost-conscious Yankees, it makes more sense to trade for a pitcher on a cheap deal than sign one to a contract worth $150 million or more in its entirety.

I am still of the opinion that New York will complete a significant trade at some point this winter, and I think it will probably be for a starting pitcher.

The Yanks have a terrific starting rotation on paper, but with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both set to miss the early stages of 2026, reinforcements are needed. That's especially considering Cole is 35, recovering from Tommy John surgery and has not pitched a full season since 2023.

Unless the Yankees want to rely on Luis Gil (who missed most of 2025 due to a lat injury), Will Warren and potentially names like Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn to round out the rotation, they need to land another arm.

Brian Cashman is well aware of this, which is Yankees fans should not be in full-blown panic mode just because he doesn't seem to be heavily pursuing any of the top free-agent starters.

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