Yankees Face Tough Trade Deadline Decisions as Rotation Help Becomes Priority
The New York Yankees are heading into the trade deadline with a few key concerns—most notably, their need for starting pitching. It’s clear they’ll be aggressive in pursuing an arm, but their relatively thin farm system could limit their options. Given how high the market has been for starters in recent years, it’s hard to picture the Yankees landing a frontline ace without overextending.
That said, in baseball, nothing is off the table—and while the Yankees may not be as stacked with trade assets as some contenders, they may not need to swing a blockbuster.
A More Realistic Trade Target?
One name gaining traction is Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels. The veteran lefty has quietly impressed with a 2.67 ERA across six starts this season and is likely to be available—especially with his contract expiring at the end of the year. Because he’s a rental, the cost to acquire him shouldn’t be overwhelming.
MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger recently identified Anderson as a top trade candidate, suggesting the Yankees should be in on him. “He’s been the Angels’ win-day guy… but Tyler Anderson is going to be moved,” Amsinger noted during a recent segment.
Who Could the Yankees Trade?
To bring in a quality starter, New York would likely need to part with some decent prospects. The challenge is figuring out which players they’re willing to let go. ESPN recently listed right-handed pitcher Ben Hess, the Yankees’ 2023 first-round pick, as a potential trade chip.
David Schoenfield pointed out the Yankees’ rotation woes—Gerrit Cole is out, Luis Gil is still recovering, and neither Carlos Carrasco nor Marcus Stroman has been particularly sharp. While Clarke Schmidt just returned, the need for a solid arm remains. According to Schoenfield, Hess has upside but is further from MLB-ready, while Will Warren, who has some big-league experience, could offer more immediate help to a team like the Marlins.
If the Yankees were to offer Hess and a mid-tier prospect (ranked somewhere in their top 10), it might be enough—if the bidding for Anderson doesn’t get too competitive.
One of Anderson’s most underrated traits? Durability. He’s logged at least 141 innings in each of the last three seasons—something the Yankees could use now more than ever.
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