The pursuit of a top-tier starting pitcher continues to be a focal point for the New York Yankees this offseason — and here's where it gets intriguing... While the team initially explored a deal for Miami's Edward Cabrera, with rumors suggesting the Marlins were open to trading him, Cabrera has since been acquired by the Chicago Cubs. According to reports from the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, the Yankees are now redirecting their efforts toward other pitching options. Conversely, seasoned analyst Jon Heyman confirms that the Yankees still hold active trade interest in acquiring pitchers like Freddy Peralta from Milwaukee and MacKenzie Gore from Washington. He also mentions that a trade involving Tigers’ pitcher Tarik Skubal seems unlikely at this point, mainly because Detroit's demands are considered prohibitively high.
Typically, during the offseason, the Yankees are linked to numerous high-profile players on both free-agent and trade markets. However, so far, they haven't completed a blockbuster deal. They did strengthen their pitching staff by re-signing Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn, but neither of these additions are considered frontline arms capable of anchoring a playoff rotation with guaranteed stability or elite upside.
Sherman paints a clear picture of the Yankees’ current rotation situation. They have a sufficient number of starters like Max Fried, Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Yarbrough, aiming to cover innings until Carlos Rodon returns from elbow surgery, expected around late April or early May. Meanwhile, key starters Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are coming back from Tommy John surgery, although Schmidt’s availability remains uncertain after his procedure last July. Any setbacks with these pitchers, whether injuries or recovery delays, could jeopardize this carefully laid-out plan.
Adding not just depth but a potential playoff starter could significantly bolster the Yankees’ chances, especially considering scenarios where Schittler struggles in his first full MLB season or Fried feels additional fatigue after pitching a career-high of over 195 innings in 2025. Interestingly, most of the pitching targets the Yankees have been linked to this winter are trade candidates rather than free agents. This focus points to their possible strategy of deploying free-agent funds toward position players, with Cody Bellinger still appearing to be a top priority — or perhaps looking at another premier talent like Bo Bichette if a deal for Bellinger doesn’t materialize.
The Yankees’ interest in Tatsuya Imai, a young pitcher earlier linked to them, was reportedly more for a reliever role rather than as a starter. As a result, they chose not to make an offer, with Imai ultimately signing a substantial three-year, $54 million contract with the Houston Astros, including opt-outs after the first two seasons.
Regarding the failed negotiations with Cabrera, Heyman mentions that prospects such as right-hander Ben Hess and outfielder Dillon Lewis, along with a third lower-level prospect, were involved. It’s not clear if all three players formed a single offer, but the Marlins preferred the three-prospect deal from the Cubs, which included Owen Caissie, Cristian Hernandez, and Edgardo De Leon. Caissie, who is highly-ranked among Chicago’s prospects and already made his MLB debut, could be competing for a spot in Miami’s outfield early in the season. The Marlins’ preference for Chicago’s package might be influenced by the fact that the Yankees weren't willing to include their promising young hitter George Lombard Jr.
Interestingly, the Marlins reportedly have a high opinion of Lewis, a 13th-round pick from 2024 who just finished his first full professional season at High-A Hudson Valley. Baseball America ranks Lewis as the eighth-best prospect in the Yankees’ farm system, with Hess coming in at fifth place, signaling the Marlins’ strategic interest in their emerging talent.
So, the big question remains: will the Yankees make a bold move before the season begins to add that missing piece to their rotation? Or will they stick with their current options and hope for the best? And more provocatively — is their cautious approach the right one, or are they underestimating the importance of acquiring a proven front-line starter in a league where playoff success often hinges on starting pitching quality? Share your thoughts below and join the debate!
