The New York Yankees’ pitching staff has been rocked by some troubling news on Saturday morning, courtesy of their ace, Gerrit Cole. After undergoing an MRI for his sore right elbow, Cole revealed to the media that he was “concerned” about the possibility of requiring surgery, and he was seeking a second opinion. The 34-year-old right-hander did not provide specific details about the MRI results but made it clear that the pain was significant.
He mentioned that after his spring training start on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins, the soreness in his elbow worsened to the point where he couldn’t even sleep that night. He described the discomfort as “alarming,” which has raised further concerns about his ability to start the season fully healthy.
This latest injury scare for Cole adds to an already challenging situation for the Yankees’ starting rotation. In addition to Cole’s uncertainty, the team has also been dealing with injuries to two other key members of the rotation—Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt.
While Schmidt has reportedly recovered enough to make his 2025 debut on April 3, the loss of Gil for several months leaves a significant hole. The situation became even more dire when the Yankees’ promising pitching prospect, Chase Hampton, who was expected to compete for a starting spot in 2025, suffered a setback with Tommy John surgery in late February, effectively ending his season before it could even begin.
With questions surrounding Cole’s availability and the absence of other pitchers, the Yankees now face the possibility of entering the 2025 season with a thinner and less experienced rotation than originally planned. This could put additional pressure on the team’s overall performance, as the pitching staff plays such a vital role in their playoff aspirations.
Given the potential for a significant gap in their rotation, the Yankees will need to explore all possible avenues to bolster their pitching staff. One such avenue, as pointed out by baseball writer Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, could be making a trade with the Miami Marlins for their ace, Sandy Alcantara.
- Sandy Alcantara.
Alcantara, the 29-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022 after an outstanding season in which he posted a 2.28 ERA with 207 strikeouts in 228 innings. Known for his durability and ability to pitch deep into games, Alcantara would be a major upgrade for the Yankees’ rotation, providing both stability and reliability at the top of their staff.
Alcantara, who has been a cornerstone for the Marlins, could give the Yankees the anchor they desperately need if Cole’s injury leads to an extended absence. While the Marlins would likely demand a high price for the reigning Cy Young winner, it could be a worthwhile investment for the Yankees, especially if they want to contend for a championship in 2025. Trading for Alcantara could be the key to solidifying their pitching staff and mitigating the risk of missing their star ace for any length of time.
In short, the Yankees are facing significant uncertainty in their rotation with Cole’s injury, and it has forced them to explore all options to reinforce their pitching staff. A trade for Sandy Alcantara, one of the best pitchers in baseball, could be the best solution to ensure they remain competitive and in contention for a postseason spot. However, with other teams also likely eyeing the ace, the Yankees will have to act quickly to secure his services before other suitors emerge.
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