The Yankees’ search for starting pitching just got a little tighter.
Two key trade targets are officially off the board: Freddy Peralta is headed to Queens, not the Bronx, after the Brewers sent him to the Mets. And now, MacKenzie Gore - a name that had hovered around Yankees trade rumors for much of the offseason - is on his way to Texas. The Rangers landed the 26-year-old lefty from the Nationals in a deal that cost them five prospects, all ranked in their top 30 system by MLB Pipeline.
For the Yankees, Gore would’ve checked a lot of boxes. He’s young, under control for two more seasons, and coming off his first All-Star appearance in 2025. But now that he’s off the market, New York’s options to bolster the rotation via trade are dwindling - and fast.
So where does that leave the Yankees?
As it stands, the rotation features three lefties: Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Ryan Weathers. On paper, that’s a solid trio.
But the concern isn’t about who’s available now - it’s about who will stay available. Rodón and Gerrit Cole are both recovering from offseason surgeries, and while the team is optimistic about their returns, there’s a level of uncertainty that can’t be ignored.
Durability has been a lingering question for Rodón, and Cole - the Yankees’ ace and reigning Cy Young winner - is coming off a procedure that could impact his early-season workload. That kind of instability at the top of the rotation is exactly why fans have been clamoring for reinforcements.
Still, the front office might be signaling that they’re content with what they’ve got.
According to a report Thursday, the Yankees may be leaning toward standing pat. General manager Brian Cashman hinted at this back in December during the Winter Meetings, describing the roster as “strong” and suggesting that the heavy lifting might already be done.
And to be fair, New York has been active. Before locking in their biggest offseason prize in Cody Bellinger, they added Trent Grisham, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, Amed Rosario, and Paul Blackburn - all moves that build depth and versatility across the roster.
So while fans may be frustrated by the lack of a splashy pitching addition, the Yankees seem confident in their internal options - at least for now.
But with Gore and Peralta off the board, the margin for error is shrinking. If Cole or Rodón hit a setback, or if the back end of the rotation falters, the front office could be forced back into the market - assuming there’s anything left to pursue.
For now, though, it looks like the Yankees are rolling with what they’ve got.