The New York Yankees need Gerrit Cole to stay healthy throughout this year. He is their ace pitcher, and the NY side does not have another such strong starter. Moreover, Cole is arguably the best-starting pitcher in baseball. He is definitely one of the superstars playing for the Bronx Bombers in 2024. Last year, Cole won his first Cy Young award. The other pitchers did not really live up to their expectations last season. Hence, the 27-time champions look to Cole as their biggest strength in their defense. However, injuries can really play the role of spoilsport like it did last year. Aaron Judge got hurt in his toe. He had a collision at the Los Angeles Dodgers fence and eventually had a torn ligament.
Later, he missed 35 games on the trot in 2023. This year, the Yankees have a strong offense, with Juan Soto pairing up with their captain. But in the pitching department, Gerrit Cole does not have an equally good partner-in-crime. That’s why fans are thinking the worst at present, as the Yankees sent Cole for an MRI of his right elbow. What would the NY side do without the AL 2023 Cy Young winner? There are three viable trade targets for the Yankees to solve their starting pitcher issue. Who are these three reinforcements the Bronx Bombers might look for Gerrit Cole?
A. Dylan Cease
The right-handed pitcher of the Chicago White Sox is 28 years old. Among the three viable options, Dylan is the only name who is part of a big-league roster at present. However, the Chicago White Sox had been trying to trade Cease throughout the offseason. They are trying to find their own identity. Hence, the plan to trade Cease has been the main talking point throughout the offseason. But The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that one general manager told him that the White Sox demanded “The Sun and the Moon” for Cease.
The Yankees have made a new trade offer to the White Sox for Dylan Cease while awaiting the news on Gerrit Cole's injury, per @BNightengale
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 12, 2024
This trade offer doesn't include Spencer Jones pic.twitter.com/AESgekshN9
Lately, the Yankees have been talking extensively with the White Sox about a deal with Dylan Cease, as per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. But no deal has yet been confirmed. Moreover, the White Sox demanded Spencer Jones in exchange. The Yankees refused to trade their top outfield prospect. However, the two teams are still talking about Cease. But time is running out for the Yankees as only two weeks to go before their Opening Day in Houston. If Cease joins the Yankees alongside Cole, they can have a fearsome lineup. But then the Yankees have two more options.
B. Blake Snell
Blake Snell struck out every starter in the Rays lineup 👏
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) June 18, 2023
His strikeout prop for the game was 5.5. He finished with 12 Ks 😳pic.twitter.com/7fBo1wWNiu
Throughout the offseason, the Yankees Nation has been excited about one option for their starting pitcher, and that’s Blake Snell. He is a two-time Cy Young winner. Last year, Snell won that award in the National League. Previously, he won that award in the American League as well. He is clearly the best free-agent starting pitcher still available. But the issue with signing Snell has been his too high asking price. If they can reach a one-year agreement, that would be great for the Bombers.
C. Jordan Montgomery
He is coming off a World Series championship with the Texas Rangers last year. This left-handed pitcher is quite familiar with the Yankees as he was part of the organization from 2014 to 2022. He played almost six seasons with the Bombers in the major league. Then, the Yankees traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022. He is another viable option for the Pinstripes in the free agency market.
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