The Yankees’ rotation depth has evaporated almost overnight.
What started as a surplus in spring training has turned into a desperate search for arms. The Yankees, who once had Marcus Stroman potentially on the outside looking in, now face a rotation crisis with injuries to Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole threatening their World Series aspirations.
Cole has grown “concerned” about his right elbow soreness, according to ESPN. The worst-case scenario? Tommy John surgery that would sideline the ace for the entire 2025 season. It’s a potentially devastating blow for a team with championship expectations.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Yankees aren’t alone in their sudden need for frontline pitching, and the market for available starters is thin.
So what about the Padres? San Diego has two coveted arms in Dylan Cease and Michael King who would instantly solve New York’s problems. King, of course, pitched for the Yankees before heading west in the Juan Soto trade last winter.
But don’t expect a reunion. Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report that Padres GM A.J. Preller “prefers to keep his team together, sources say” despite the Yankees’ obvious need.
This represents a shift in San Diego’s thinking. Earlier in the offseason, the Padres had considered moving Cease, King, or Luis Arraez while ownership questions loomed, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
The Yankees’ desperation hasn’t changed Preller’s mind. Spring training blockbusters are rare, and the Padres seem content to keep their rotation intact despite what would likely be significant return packages.
That said, things change quickly in baseball. If Cole’s diagnosis confirms the worst fears, the Yankees might become even more aggressive in their pursuit of pitching help. The trade deadline is still months away, and Preller has never been shy about making bold moves when the right offer presents itself.
