With the news of Gerrit Cole needing Tommy John surgery and will be out for the entire 2025 season and early 2026, the New York Yankees are mulling their options to replace him in their starting rotation. Coming off an American League pennant season, pressure is on the Yankees to quickly and effectively fill that hole.
When the injury news first dropped, the natural inclination was the Arizona Diamondbacks could be a potential trade partner. They're trying to fill five rotation spots with seven starting pitchers, so it would only be natural that teams would be asking about their availability. However, Arizona Sports Insider John Gambodoro dropped a report on the Yankees' current interest in Arizona's starters.
As of now the Yankees have not contacted the Diamondbacks in regard to any of their starting pitchers. That can change but as of now nada. https://t.co/DDH6pCGOus
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) March 10, 2025
That report could mean a lot of things, but Gambadoro notes the Yankees could change their mind when they. It appears at the minimum they are looking at their internal options and free agents to see if they can bridge the gap before considering the trade market. Their rotation depth has considerably thinned after trading Nestor Cortes Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers and two of their projected starting five needing Tommy John surgery.
While Arizona would like to get out of Jordan Montgomery's $22.5 million salary for 2025, if the Yankees express interest they may be more interested in Brandon Pfaadt or Ryne Nelson instead. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen should ask for a massive haul for either pitcher, who both have at least four years of team control remaining. Based on the team's actions, it seems like the last rotation spot is Pfaadt's to lose. In that scenario, Montgomery would be shifted to long relief and Ryne Nelson demoted to Triple-A Reno to stay stretched out in case of an injury.
The Yankees aren't the only team looking for rotation additions. The Cubs and Orioles are two other teams that are seeking external help, which could make things difficult for the Yankees and better for the Diamondbacks.