The New York Yankees may be facing the possibility of losing right-hander Gerrit Cole for the entire 2025 season. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Cole has been advised to undergo Tommy John surgery, though the team is awaiting a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.
“If the recommendation is confirmed, a Tommy John surgery would sideline Cole for the entirety of 2025, leaving a significant void at the top of the Yankees’ rotation. Replacing him will be a challenge, and acquiring a suitable replacement may require the Yankees to trade several top prospects,” Bowden reported.
Who Could the Yankees Pursue in a Trade? If the Yankees are determined to find a replacement for Cole, the top option would be Sandy Alcantara. Now healthy again, Alcantara is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in the game, having won the Cy Young Award in 2022 with a dominant 2.28 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.
However, the question remains: do the Yankees have enough assets to acquire him?
Zach Pressnell from FanSided suggested a potential trade that could work for both sides, offering Spencer Jones, Will Warren, and Roderick Arias to the Marlins in exchange for Alcantara.
“Alcantara would be a huge acquisition. He was the best pitcher in baseball in 2022, claiming the Cy Young award, though he took a step back in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season with injury. However, his spring training performances this year have shown signs of returning to his 2022 form,” Pressnell wrote.
- Sandy Alcantara
He continued, explaining that while Jones has big league potential, he might not get the chance to play for the Yankees this season unless an injury occurs. For the Marlins, Jones could be a key future player. Warren, who has impressed with his devastating sweeper this spring, would fit right into the Marlins’ rotation. Arias, while still raw and not ready for the majors, has high potential and is the type of prospect the Marlins are likely looking to add.
Do the Yankees Have Enough? The Yankees’ once-strong prospect pool isn’t what it used to be. While Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones are intriguing, Dominguez has yet to prove himself at the major league level, and Jones had an underwhelming minor league season last year.
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic notes that acquiring Alcantara would require a hefty package, with the Marlins likely seeking Dominguez along with top-tier prospects. “Given that Alcantara won’t be a free agent until 2028 and is owed $17.3 million over the next two seasons with a $21 million club option in 2027, the Marlins could push for Dominguez and one of the Yankees’ top-five prospects,” Kirschner reported.
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