The Yankees are staring down a critical offseason, and they know exactly what they need to do if they want another crack at the World Series. Cody Bellinger sits at the top of their wish list for good reason.
“But the one thing that Bellinger provides that Tucker doesn’t—two things actually—center field and first base. I’ll throw in a third thing: no qualifying offer. Tucker will have a qualifying offer that could affect him a little bit. Not that much because he’s a big star. He is the No. 1 free agent but in many respects Bellinger had a better year,” MLB insider Jon Heyman said.
That’s the appeal right there. Bellinger gives them flexibility they can’t get elsewhere, plus he won’t cost them a draft pick.
But here’s where things get complicated for New York.
Their rotation is in rough shape heading into 2025. Gerrit Cole won’t be ready for Opening Day as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Clarke Schmidt is even further behind—he won’t see game action until the second half of 2026, if at all, after his own Tommy John procedure last July.
That’s two key starters the Yankees can’t count on when the season begins. They need help, and they need it from someone who can step in immediately.
Enter Sandy Alcantara.
“Alcantara will be another year removed from his Tommy John surgery, which bodes well for his chances of returning to his Cy Young form. The Marlins hold a team option for Alcantara for 2027, so he’s under team control for two more seasons. Team likely to have interest: Yankees,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote.
Now that makes sense for the Yankees on multiple levels. Alcantara isn’t just a rental—they’d have him locked up through 2027. And we’re talking about a guy who won the Cy Young Award in 2022, throwing 228 innings with a 2.28 ERA.
The timing works too. By the time October rolls around and Cole is fully stretched out, the Yankees could have a rotation that’s legitimately championship-caliber. Alcantara and Cole anchoring the front end? That’s the kind of depth they’ll need against the Dodgers or whoever emerges from the National League.
Miami’s likely looking to cut payroll anyway, so the framework for a deal is probably there. The Yankees have the prospects to make it happen, and they’ve got the urgency to get something done.
It’s not just about filling holes anymore. With Bellinger providing the versatility they need in the lineup and Alcantara giving them rotation insurance, the Yankees could be setting themselves up for another deep October run.
The pieces are out there. Now they just need to go get them.
