The New York Yankees are seemingly having difficulty making trades.
The New York Yankees are attempting to swing a trade for a starting pitcher this winter, but they haven't had much luck on that front thus far.
There are a handful of big names said to be available on the pitching trade market, and it seems like the Yankees have checked in on a few of them.
However, things are moving at a snail's pace, and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic has revealed why.
"Judging from the [Shane] Baz trade, prices are exorbitant and would further deplete the Yankees’ system," Kirschner wrote. "Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore and Sandy Alcantara are possible targets on the trade market, but each pitcher will likely cost the Yankees big time in prospect capital."
The Baltimore Orioles acquired Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays for four prospects (including two top-10 prospects within the Orioles' system) and a competitive balance draft pick earlier this month.
That was definitely a hefty price to pay for a hurler who managed a 4.87 ERA in 2025 and owns a lifetime 4.25 ERA across 54 big-league starts, and it has certainly put the Yankees in a rather uncomfortable position when it comes to trade discussions.
New York definitely has the farm system depth to make trades, but it also does not want to get raked over the coals, especially if isn't acquiring someone like Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes.
Peralta posted a 2.70 ERA in 2025 and Alcantara won a Cy Young award in 2022, but both pitchers have their drawbacks. The former has historically been more of a No. 2 than a bona fide ace and is slated to hit free agency after next season.
And while Alcantara had a brilliant second half this past year, he missed all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and struggled mightily over the first few months of 2025 as a result.
Then there is Gore, who hasn't proven to be anything other than a middle-of-the-rotation arm over his first four years in the league.
Is any of that enough for the Yankees to feel comfortable parting with a package that includes one of Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones and multiple top prospects?
Brian Cashman is notoriously stingy when it comes to moving farm talent, so the fact that he is evidently balking heavily at these apparent prices is hardly shocking.
New York is rich with pitchers in its farm system, so it can surrender one or two and still be just fine. But it also depends on what else the Yanks would have to give up in a deal, as well.
The problems is that the Yankees have to do something here, so it may just come down to whether or not they are willing to pay an exorbitant cost for a potential World Series run.