The New York Yankees have faced a challenging spring, plagued by injuries that threaten their chances of making the postseason. However, things took a turn for the worse when they lost their ace, Gerrit Cole, for the season.
With this setback, the Yankees have gone from being a team expected to contend for a World Series rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers to one that might struggle to even make the playoffs due to their injury problems. Despite this, New York still has enough talent to overcome these challenges and potentially reach October baseball without making significant moves before the trade deadline. However, if the Yankees aim to challenge the heavily stacked Dodgers in a potential World Series, they will need to add a high-impact pitcher through a trade.
One such pitcher is Framber Valdez, the Houston Astros’ left-handed ace, who is in a contract year. Valdez is exactly the kind of veteran pitcher the Yankees need to strengthen their rotation. The Astros have been competitive for years but have made moves that could signal a shift, such as trading Kyle Tucker and losing Alex Bregman to free agency. This makes it plausible that they may look to trade Valdez before the deadline, but it would be surprising if Houston sent him to New York unless they received an offer they couldn’t refuse.
The San Diego Padres also present another potential trade partner. The Padres have two pitchers who could be available for trade, and their trade with the Yankees in December 2023 for Juan Soto suggests that the teams have complementary needs. The Padres’ motivations likely include salary cutting, which could make a deal for a pitcher more likely.
One potential target for New York is Dylan Cease, a 29-year-old right-hander who has started at least 32 games in each of the past four seasons. In 2022, Cease had an AL Cy Young-caliber season, posting a 6.4 bWAR. He is a proven top-of-the-rotation starter with several more years in his prime, but with Cease set to hit free agency after this season, his cost may be lower at the trade deadline.
Another option is Michael King, a 29-year-old pitcher who was part of the package the Yankees sent to the Padres for Soto. King transitioned from a reliever to a full-time starter in 2023, finishing the season with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173.2 innings. King was highly effective in his first year as a starter, and his pitching style—focused on a sinker, changeup, and sweeper—makes him a solid candidate for success in the postseason. His transition to starting pitcher is reminiscent of former Boston Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe, known for performing well in October.
While both Cease and King are appealing trade targets, King’s style tends to thrive in the postseason, and there’s no uncertainty about his ability to handle the pressure of playing in New York. As a result, the Yankees should consider reacquiring King before the trade deadline, not just for the current season, but for future years as well.