The New York Yankees’ dry bullpen depth is out in the open, and the team is in dire need of some strong arms on the roster.
The starting pitching rotation of the Bronx Bombers has entirely collapsed due to incessant injury concerns. As we stand just a day away from the opening day, the team has only two healthy pitchers in the lineup, Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes. Hence, stacking up a five-arm lineup looks like an impossible task for the Yankees front office.
However, the clock is ticking, and the Yankees can play one last card in the free agency. Naturally, at this stage of the season, the options are highly limited, but a trade deal can certainly not be ruled out. Moreover, the Bombers have a crowded infield with too many cooks to spoil the soup. Hence, they should consider trading away one for a quality pitching staff.
Jesus Luzardo Can Resolve Yankees Pitching Depth Problems
In order to address the pitching depth issue, the New York Yankees could potentially look to make a trade for a high-end starting pitcher, and one player who could fit the lineup is Jesus Luzardo. The young Marlins pitcher showed flashes of brilliance on the mound, but he has also struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Despite his struggles, Luzardo has the potential to be a dominant pitcher in the Major Leagues. In 2021 with the Marlins, he made 12 starts, and in 57.1 innings, he posted a 6.44 ERA with 58 strikeouts.
Furthermore, the Marlins have a crowded arm bullpen. Hence, they wouldn’t mind sending off Jesus to the Yankees in exchange for a quality hitter. The Yankees are certainly in need of pitching help, as their rotation has been shaky this season. Hence, if the Yankees were to trade for Luzardo, they would be getting a young, talented pitcher who could help solidify their rotation. Luzardo is only 25 years old, so he still has plenty of room to grow and develop. And not as if the Bombers have much of choice. After filling in the replacements, the fifth starter spot is still up for grabs. Hence, Jesus has a long shot of donning the pinstriped this season.
Brian Cashman Drops Hints On A Possible Trade
Meanwhile, GM Brian Cashman, the New York Yankees general manager, has just dropped a major hint on an incoming last-minute trade. Speaking to the reporters on Monday, Cashman said the Yanks are not done yet and are still looking for ways to improve the roster. Moreover, he sensed a trade move happening right before the opening day of the 2023 season.
This news shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the Yankees’ current situation clearly suggests a potential trade deal. However, the interesting aspect of the entire fiasco remains who will face the cut? Will it be Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Josh Donaldson, or Gleyber Torres? Or even the shortstop Oswald Peraza as the Yanks look uncertain of his future in the pinstripes. Well, only time reveals the truth.