YANKEES POACH $116 MILLION ALL-STAR ACE IN BLOCKBUSTER TRADE! (POSTSEASON ROTATION JUST GOT SCARY!)

The New York Yankees’ starting rotation has taken some unexpected turns this season. Gerrit Cole went down during spring training, and Luis Gil has yet to make an appearance. While Max Fried and Carlos Rodón have been strong performers, and Ryan Yarbrough has stepped up, the team may still seek an upgrade over Clarke Schmidt or Will Warren as they pursue another World Series run.

Though Gil is expected to return, adding another dependable starter could significantly bolster their postseason hopes. Just Baseball’s Zach Lutz pointed to Zac Gallen as a potential trade target.

“With Cole out for the season, the Yankees will likely look to make a move,” Lutz wrote. “Fried is leading the rotation, Rodón has been a solid No. 2, and Yarbrough has exceeded expectations — but Gallen could take the October rotation to another level.”

Gallen, a free agent after this season, may become expendable if the Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t willing to pay him following their $210 million investment in Corbin Burnes. He’s projected to seek a six-year, $116 million contract in free agency.

The right-hander hasn’t been in top form this year — he has a 5.14 ERA and leads the National League in walks. That’s a stark contrast from his 2023 All-Star campaign, when he posted a 3.65 ERA over 28 starts.

With Arizona sitting in fourth place in the NL West and trailing by six games in the wild card race, they may become sellers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. If that happens, the Yankees could jump at the chance to acquire Gallen.

A playoff rotation featuring Fried, Rodón, Gil, Gallen, and Yarbrough could give the Yankees the edge they need to return to the World Series for the second straight year