BREAKINGNEWS; Yankees Trade Pitch Lands $56 Million Ace to Replace Gerrit Cole!

The New York Yankees took a significant hit when ace Gerrit Cole underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in March, leaving a major gap in their starting rotation.

Despite the setback, the Yankees have held their ground in the AL East and remain firmly in the World Series conversation. However, sources inside the organization believe the team will pursue additional pitching help before the trade deadline.

One name that continues to surface is Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins—a long-rumored target likely to be available as Miami looks to unload talent during its rebuild.

Alcantara on Yankees’ Radar

Even before the 2025 season began, Fox Sports’ Deesha Thosar highlighted Alcantara as a potential fit for the Yankees, especially with Cole sidelined. Thosar accurately predicted that the Marlins would struggle again this year and might use Alcantara as trade leverage.

“Miami is knee-deep in a frustrating rebuild, and another disappointing season makes Alcantara a prime candidate to be dealt before NFL preseason even kicks off,” Thosar wrote.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller also ranked Alcantara as the top pitcher expected to be available. Though he’s had a rough return from Tommy John surgery in 2023—posting a 7.89 ERA—Miller emphasized that Alcantara is at least fully healthy, missing just one start due to scheduling, not injury.

“He’s not dominating, but he’s throwing like his old self,” Miller noted, pointing out that his pitch velocity has returned to pre-surgery levels and that he’s thrown over 100 pitches multiple times this season.

Alcantara is under contract for $17.3 million annually through 2026, with a $21 million team option in 2027—a price the Yankees would have to weigh.

Backup Plans on the Table

If Alcantara proves too costly, the Yankees have other options. Thosar mentioned a possible reunion with Michael King, who would be a more budget-friendly choice. King’s 2025 salary comes to just $4 million, making him a more realistic option under the luxury tax threshold concerns expressed by GM Brian Cashman.

For a longer-term solution, the Yankees could target Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo. Though more expensive—with about $70 million owed through 2027—Castillo could serve as an insurance policy in case Cole’s recovery doesn’t go as planned.

Thosar noted, “It’s a significant financial risk, but with uncertainty surrounding Cole’s return, the Yankees may need to think ahead.”