The New York Yankees’ starting rotation hasn’t quite unfolded as expected this season. Gerrit Cole went down in spring training, and Luis Gil has yet to make his return. Fortunately, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón have held down the top of the rotation, while Ryan Yarbrough has delivered solid innings. But with Clarke Schmidt and Will Warren filling out the backend, the Yankees could be in the market for a more proven option as the trade deadline approaches.
Gil is expected to rejoin the rotation, but a more consistent arm could provide critical depth for a team chasing another World Series appearance. Zac Gallen has emerged as a potential trade target, according to Just Baseball’s Zach Lutz.
“With Gerrit Cole sidelined for the year, the Yankees are likely to make a move,” Lutz wrote. “Fried leads the staff, Rodón has been an excellent No. 2, and Yarbrough has stepped up, but adding Gallen would give them a deeper, more dangerous playoff rotation.”
Gallen is set to hit free agency after this season, and with the Diamondbacks already having shelled out $210 million for Corbin Burnes, they may not be inclined to extend Gallen long-term. He’s projected to command around six years and $116 million on the open market.
However, Gallen hasn’t looked like his usual self this year. Despite being an All-Star in 2023 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 starts, he currently owns a 5.14 ERA and leads the NL in walks. Arizona, sitting in fourth place in the NL West and six games out of the final wild card spot, could become sellers by July 31.
If so, the Yankees may look to strike. Adding Gallen to a postseason rotation with Fried, Rodón, Gil, and Yarbrough would give New York a formidable group as they push for another shot at a championship.
Leave a Reply