MAJOR-BREAKING: Yankees Land $24 Million Gerrit Cole Replacement in Trade Proposal

The New York Yankees may be sitting in first place, but they’re far from flawless—and injuries are a big reason why. Still, if they’re serious about chasing a World Series title, they need to stop waiting on health and start working the trade market. Specifically, they need to go after a high-quality starting pitcher and a reliable third baseman at the deadline.

One name that’s beginning to surface as a potential fit is Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks. While the D-backs were projected to be more competitive this season, they’ve fallen behind in the loaded NL West. Now 7.5 games back of the Dodgers and struggling to keep pace with the Padres and Giants, Arizona could soon shift into seller mode.

Empire Sports recently listed Kelly as a solid trade target for New York—not necessarily an ace, but a dependable arm who could be valuable in a postseason rotation. Writer Ryan Garcia noted that while Kelly might not match his 2023 World Series form, he’s still a capable veteran who could slot in as a Game 3 starter. With uncertainty surrounding Luis Gil’s performance and health, Kelly would bring a stabilizing presence. Adjusting his pitch mix slightly could even boost his effectiveness in the Bronx.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, there’s little doubt the Yankees will be active at the deadline, especially when it comes to bolstering their rotation. “The one thing I feel pretty confident about is they’ll acquire a starting pitcher,” Sherman said. However, he noted that it depends on what becomes available, as many teams are still reluctant to admit defeat.

If Arizona continues to fall out of contention, Ken Rosenthal believes Kelly could be one of the first names on the trade block. The veteran right-hander, who owns a 3.78 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 69 innings, is set to become a free agent after the season. While that means the Yankees risk losing him at year’s end, the chance to add a playoff-caliber starter makes him a worthwhile rental—especially with Gerrit Cole out for the year. If winning it all is the goal, Kelly could be a key piece in making it happen.