Injuries have the New York Yankees on the ropes and the preseason is turning into a nightmare with the recent injury to ace Gerrit Cole, who set off alarm bells after learning the results of the MRI on his right elbow.
Last Thursday, Cole gave up six runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings during the 8-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins, and told reporters Saturday that he felt good on the mound, but that when it was over the soreness began and something was not right and after the MRI he is now awaiting a second opinion: “I still have some hope.”
The Yankees’ mission for a double revenge after losing the World Series and then signing Juan Soto seems to be getting complicated, after doing their homework in the winter market and strengthening themselves with free agents Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt, and then trading for Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams.
Yankees will have to return to the market
The Yankees should go back to the market and get talent with a trade, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, they should go for Dominican Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins, who is about to enter his fourth season of a five-year contract, and for this campaign he is owed $17.3 million.
Beyond the financial aspect, which by 2026 would be the same amount, plus a club option for $21 million in 2027,
According to The Athletic, the Yankees could allow the trade, as they have talent available to negotiate, including their prospects Jasson Dominguez and George Lombard Jr., even if they get rid of Dominguez, they can re-sign Alex Verdugo or look at more free agents, Adam Duvall is still available.
Alcantara was the winner of the National League Cy Young Award in 2022, and missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but during Spring Training he has shown signs of recovery, so he is a good bet for the Yankees, in case they are looking to rebuild their rotation which without Cole and Luis Gil would be made up of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman and Will Warren.
Other options mentioned for a trade include Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres, Luis Castillo of the Seattle Mariners and Jordan Montgomery of the Arizona Diamondbacks
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