The New York Yankees secured their top target earlier this week, re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger to a five-year contract worth $162.5 million. However, New York had remained relatively quiet in free agency up to this point while the rest of the American League East continued to strengthen their rosters.
The Yankees could certainly use reinforcements, particularly in the starting rotation. Left-hander Carlos Rodon and right-hander Gerrit Cole are both set to miss the beginning of the 2026 season.
Max Fried is the only reliable arm at the moment, but the rotation is filled with uncertainty. That concern is magnified by a bullpen that has taken a hit this offseason, with relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver both leaving for the New York Mets.
The Yankees have been active in trying to address their pitching needs and were linked to several top arms. In early January, Jack Curry of YES Network reported that the team had engaged in conversations with multiple clubs.
“They’ve had conversations with the [Milwaukee] Brewers about [Freddy] Peralta, who would also be a really nice acquisition. He’s got one year left before he becomes a free agent,” Curry said. “They’ve had conversations with the [Washington] Nationals about MacKenzie Gore.”
Those options quickly disappeared. On Wednesday night, Brewers ace Freddy Peralta was traded to the Mets, eliminating one of New York’s primary targets.
Just a day later, Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore was dealt to the Texas Rangers, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, further shrinking the pool of available frontline starters.
Losing out on both Peralta and Gore is a significant setback for the Yankees. The rotation already faces major questions with Cole and Rodon sidelined, and missing out on two attainable arms leaves them scrambling for alternatives in a market that is thinning rapidly.
There is also no guarantee Cole will return to his dominant form following elbow surgery, and Rodon’s track record of injuries makes him a risky bet.
Young right-hander Cam Schlittler showed promise in his rookie campaign, but sophomore regression is a real possibility, leaving even more uncertainty.
With the bullpen also diminished, New York risks entering the season with glaring pitching deficiencies. For a franchise built on championship expectations, failing to secure reinforcements could prove costly in the AL East race.
