The New York Yankees checked one major box off on Wednesday by re-signing Cody Bellinger, adding a much-needed left-handed bat and defensive versatility to a roster that badly needed both.
However, even after that move, it’s clear the front office isn’t done, and the next area of focus seems to be in the starting rotation.
According to SNY’s Anthony McCarron, the Yankees could look to the trade market for another arm, specifically Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. While the Yankees have ames ready to go, McCarron thinks the Yankees shouldn’t be safe and try to go into the season with another dominant arm.
“The Yankees have multiple starters on the roster, but they have a rotation need. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are both coming back late as they complete recovery from surgery,” McCarron wrote. “They added Weathers to a group that includes last year’s ace, Max Fried, wunderkind Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Luis Gil.
“But the fickle nature of pitching and all the possible health pitfalls that come with that job, it probably would serve the Yankees to add someone like Peralta, the Brewers’ ace, who has one more year remaining at $8 million before he hits free agency. He’s the prize of the trade market, unless Detroit swaps Tarik Skubal.”
On paper, the Yankees’ rotation looks deep. In reality, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are both coming off tough injuries and are only getting older. While there seems to be a sense of them coming back healthy at some point, it remains uncertain if that will really be the case.
Peralta would help with that and do so in a way that would give the Yankees an elite arm.
The 29-year-old has been incredible recently and isn’t expensive in terms of a contract. He hits free agency next winter and the Yankees would have to give up a lot for him, but he’s well worth it.
The Yankees already made a significant financial commitment with Bellinger for five years and $162.5 million, but adding Peralta wouldn’t hurt them from doing anything long-term, or honestly, even making another move when needed.