The Yankees are heading into the offseason with a clear strength - a solid starting rotation - but also a looming question mark. Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young winner and the anchor of their pitching staff, isn’t entering spring training at full strength. That’s not panic-worthy, but it does raise the stakes for how New York approaches its pitching depth this winter.
Rather than diving into the deep end of free agency - where top-tier arms come with top-tier price tags - the Yankees could look to the trade market to patch the rotation without ballooning the payroll. And if they go that route, one name that keeps coming up is Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins.
Cabrera isn’t just a stopgap. He’s a 6-foot-5 right-hander with electric stuff, a manageable salary, and team control through 2028 - the kind of profile that fits perfectly into the Yankees’ current puzzle.
In 2025, Cabrera posted a 3.53 ERA across 26 starts, throwing a career-high 137.2 innings and racking up 2.8 bWAR. That’s not ace-level dominance, but it’s reliable mid-rotation production with upside, and that’s exactly what the Yankees could use behind Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Nestor Cortes.
The proposed trade that’s gaining traction is Cabrera for Jasson Dominguez - a one-for-one swap that would send the Yankees’ high-ceiling outfield prospect to Miami in exchange for a cost-controlled starter.
Now, let’s be clear: Dominguez isn’t just any prospect. He’s been one of the most hyped names in the Yankees’ system in years.
We saw a glimpse of his potential during a short stint in the majors before an injury cut things short. He’s got the tools to be a star - power, speed, and charisma that plays in New York - but he’s also recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t be back at full strength until midseason.
That’s the gamble here. The Yankees would be trading future upside for present stability.
But with Cole’s health in question and the rotation needing depth, Cabrera offers immediate value. He’s affordable - slated to make just $3.7 million in 2026 - and under control for three more seasons.
That flexibility is key, especially if the Yankees are eyeing a big free-agent splash elsewhere, like bringing back Cody Bellinger on a hefty deal.
If Bellinger returns, there’s less room - and less budget - to chase a top-tier arm in free agency. That makes a trade route even more appealing. And with both Dominguez and Spencer Jones viewed as potential trade chips, the Yankees have options.
From Miami’s perspective, landing Dominguez could inject some much-needed offensive potential into their lineup. The Marlins have long struggled to develop impact bats, and Dominguez, even with his injury timeline, could be a foundational piece for their outfield.
This isn’t a blockbuster in the traditional sense - no superstar names, no nine-figure contracts - but it’s the kind of deal that could quietly reshape both teams. The Yankees would shore up their rotation without breaking the bank, and the Marlins would take a calculated swing on a high-upside bat.
For New York, it comes down to timing. If they believe this roster is built to win now - and all signs point to that being the case - then adding a durable, effective starter like Cabrera could be the move that keeps them competitive early in the season while Cole works his way back to full strength.
And if Dominguez turns into a star in Miami? That’s the risk you take when you’re chasing a title window.
The Yankees have been here before. The question is whether they’re ready to make that call again.