New York Yankees’ Trade for Superstar Pitcher Called ‘Inevitable’

The New York Yankees desperately need starting pitching after a rash of injuries hit their rotation this spring. Gerrit Cole is out for the season as a result of Tommy John surgery, Luis Gil is on the shelf for a few months due to a lat strain and Clarke Schmidt is experiencing shoulder issues.

That leaves Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and not a whole lot else for the Yankees in terms of reliable starting pitchers, which means that they may need to pursue a trade sooner rather than later.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has identified what he considers to be an “inevitable” trade for New York, proposing a deal that would send Miami Marlins superstar Sandy Alcantara to the Bronx.

In the trade, the Yankees would send outfielder Spencer Jones, pitcher Will Warren and shortstop George Lombard Jr.—all top prospects—to the Marlins in exchange for Alcantara.

“This is not a light package the Yankees would be giving up, but the rub is obvious: Beyond being very, very good, Alcantara’s contract is guaranteed for 2026 with a $21 million club option for 2027,” Rymer wrote.

Miami is rumored to be interested in moving Alcantara, because, well, of course: that’s what the Marlins do. The 29-year-old missed all of last season due to Tommy John, but he looked brilliant in spring training and seems ready to resume his status as an elite pitcher.

Alcantara was a unanimous NL Cy Young award winner in 2022 after going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA, throwing six complete games and pitching 228.2 innings, the most in baseball.

The two-time All-Star is unquestionably one of the best arms in the majors when healthy, and his presence in the Yankees’ rotation would give the the team a terrific one-two punch along with Fried.