Blockbuster Alert:Yankees Just Landed a $39M Arm — Fans Can’t Believe WHO It Is!

The New York Yankees remain firmly atop the AL East with a strong 35-22 record — second-best in the American League — despite stumbling in Los Angeles over the weekend. They’ve dropped the first two games of a three-game rematch of the 2024 World Series, including a lopsided 18-2 loss on Saturday.

Even with their solid postseason positioning, questions linger about the depth of their starting rotation. For much of the season, speculation from both fans and media has centered on Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara — the 2022 NL Cy Young winner — as a potential trade target.

Once a Top Target, Now a Risky Gamble

However, Alcantara’s return from Tommy John surgery has been anything but smooth. Once a dominant arm with a sub-3.88 ERA over five seasons, he now holds an alarming 8.47 ERA and leads the National League in earned runs allowed (48 in 11 starts). His 1.67 WHIP and 5.38 FIP highlight that his struggles go beyond poor defense — he’s simply not pitching well.

As Alcantara’s trade value plummets, Yankees beat writer and MLB analyst Sara Molnick of Pinstripes Nation has suggested an alternative — a more reliable and lower-risk option in veteran lefty Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels.

Tyler Anderson: A Cost-Effective, Dependable Option

“If Brian Cashman is looking for durability and consistency, Tyler Anderson checks every box,” Molnick wrote in her Saturday article. The 35-year-old has been named an All-Star twice in the past three seasons and has made at least 27 starts in every full year since 2021. For a Yankees rotation plagued by injuries — including the season-long absence of 2023 AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole — a dependable innings-eater like Anderson could be a major boost.

Anderson, originally drafted 20th overall by the Rockies in 2011, joined the Angels in 2022 on a three-year, $39 million deal, which expires after this season. That makes him an affordable rental, both financially and in terms of prospect capital.

So far in 2025, he’s posted a respectable 3.39 ERA over 11 starts for the 26-31 Angels, averaging about six innings per outing. While his xFIP (4.82) hints at possible regression, he’s historically managed to outperform the underlying numbers.

Reinforcing the Rotation Without Draining the Bullpen

With the Yankees’ bullpen having logged the 14th-fewest innings in MLB (203 2/3), thanks to the relative durability of the current rotation, adding a reliable arm like Anderson could keep the relievers fresh for October. Given New York’s clear playoff trajectory, that kind of reinforcement could be critical.

A free agent at the end of the season, and with the Angels unlikely to contend, Anderson is a realistic target who could strengthen New York’s staff without sacrificing top prospects — a move that might quietly pay big dividends in the postseason.