Baseball insider Jon Heyman acknowledges that while the Yankees must develop their roster and farm system for the future, they are also built to compete right now. However, following a rough spring training in Tampa, their immediate outlook appears shaky.
Despite making key offseason additions—acquiring pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and center fielder Cody Bellinger after Juan Soto’s departure—the Yankees have been hit hard by injuries. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with serious elbow issues that could side line him for the season. No. 3 starter Luis Gil has a lat injury that will likely keep him out past the All-Star break. Most significantly, ace Gerrit Cole will miss the entire year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Adding to their challenges, the Yankees’ farm system has already been depleted by trades for Bellinger and the 2024 deal that brought Soto to New York. However, Heyman reports that Padres ace Dylan Cease could become available at the trade deadline, and the Yankees should be “laser-focused” on acquiring him. Cease posted a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA for San Diego last season. He has started at least 32 games in each of the past four years and led the league in starts three times during that span.
“Cease is the most dominant pitcher who always seems to be on the trade block, and he represents the Yankees’ best shot at replacing the injured Gerrit Cole,” Heyman wrote in the New York Post. However, the Yankees are one of nine teams pursuing Cease, and many of their competitors “may all have better bait” to offer in trade negotiations.
For now, the Yankees’ rotation is set to be led by Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Clarke Schmidt, with Will Warren expected to take the fifth spot.
