The New York Yankees entered the offseason with several major questions, especially regarding their pitching staff. While their starting rotation was considered relatively stable compared to other areas of the roster, it wasn’t without its flaws.
In fact, the Yankees’ rotation last season didn’t feature any bonafide stars, but it had consistency, which the team relied on. Heading into the offseason, the Yankees made a few significant moves to strengthen their rotation. First, they traded Nestor Cortes, who had been a key part of their staff, and then signed Max Fried, a proven ace. With Fried now joining the rotation alongside Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, the Yankees’ rotation on paper should be one of the most formidable in Major League Baseball.
However, things have taken a turn in the past few weeks. Despite the promising additions, the Yankees have been hit with some tough blows. First, Luis Gil, who was expected to contribute significantly this season, is now out for a few months, potentially leaving a void in the rotation.
But the bigger concern is Gerrit Cole, the ace of the staff, who is now dealing with a throwing elbow injury. While further tests are ongoing, any issues with Cole’s elbow would be a significant blow to the Yankees, considering he is the team’s most reliable and dominant pitcher. This combination of uncertainties surrounding two of their top starters has put the Yankees in a position where they may need to look outside the organization for reinforcements.
One such option could be Seattle Mariners ace Luis Castillo. Castillo has long been one of the more consistent and dominant pitchers in the league, and the Yankees had shown interest in him when he was with the Cincinnati Reds before he was traded to Seattle. Since arriving in Seattle, Castillo has continued to shine, solidifying himself as one of the top pitchers in the American League. His ability to stay consistent and pitch at a high level would be exactly what the Yankees need given the current situation with Cole and Gil.
Adding Castillo would give the Yankees an additional, reliable arm at the top of their rotation, alongside Fried and Cole. However, acquiring a pitcher of Castillo’s caliber won’t come cheap. The Mariners are unlikely to part with their ace without receiving significant value in return.
- Luis Castillo
For the Yankees, it would probably take a combination of high-level prospects such as Spencer Jones, Everson Pereira, or Jorbit Vivas—players who are nearly Major League-ready—to get the Mariners’ attention. On top of that, the Yankees would likely need to throw in a few additional prospects to make the deal work.
While parting with top prospects can be a tough decision for any team, the Yankees are in a win-now mode, especially with the window for championship contention still wide open with stars like Aaron Judge and the aforementioned Cole. Adding a reliable, established ace like Castillo could be the key to shoring up a rotation that now has major question marks.
For the Yankees, this could be a move worth pursuing to not only add depth and consistency to their pitching staff but also mitigate the risks surrounding their current rotation. If the Yankees can land Castillo, it could provide a significant boost to their chances of competing at the highest level, especially with the challenges they’re facing with Cole and Gil.
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