Yankees Could Target Kyle Gibson After Cole’s Tommy John Setback
The Yankees’ offseason rollercoaster continues with Gerrit Cole now headed for Tommy John surgery, marking the third key player who’ll miss Opening Day alongside Luis Gil and Giancarlo Stanton.
Cole’s injury represents the biggest blow yet for a team that’s already experienced dramatic swings since the World Series — losing Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets before adding Max Fried, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt to bolster their roster.
The starting rotation suddenly looks thin, and the Yankees will likely need to find reinforcements. But with a $277 million payroll already committed for 2025 and limited prospect capital, don’t expect a blockbuster trade for an ace replacement.
There’s a silver lining, though. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees could leverage insurance money from Cole’s contract to add pitching help soon.
“Just as the Yankees continue to weigh market options for hitting help while Giancarlo Stanton is attempting to work his way back from elbow trouble, they will consider free agent possibilities such as veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson,” Olney wrote. “The Yankees paid for insurance on Cole’s contract, and so they will recoup some portion of the salary they owe him; typically, that rate is about 75%.”
That’s significant. Cole is owed $36 million for 2025, meaning the Yankees could recover around $27 million through insurance. That lines up nicely with Gibson’s projected market value — Spotrac estimates a two-year, $26.8 million deal for the veteran right-hander.
What makes Gibson particularly appealing is his durability. He’s made at least 30 starts in each of the last three seasons, including a 30-start campaign with the Cardinals last year where he posted a 4.24 ERA. He’s not Cole-level talent, obviously, but he could solidify the back of the rotation or provide valuable depth if more injuries occur.
The insurance payout also helps with luxury tax implications. “Cole’s contract still counts against their competitive balance tax total, but the insurance money will significantly offset the luxury tax they will have to pay for the addition of any replacement,” Olney explained. “The Yankees are taxed dollar for dollar, 100%, for any additional player salaries they take on.”
That’s where Gibson makes even more sense. At 37 (turning 38 in October), he represents the right balance of cost and reliability for a Yankees team that suddenly finds itself in a pitching pinch. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable — something the Yankees desperately need right now.
