The New York Yankees began the offseason with what appeared to be an abundance of starting pitching, but a series of setbacks has dramatically altered their outlook. With Luis Gil on the shelf for at least a month and Gerrit Cole lost for the entire 2025 campaign following Tommy John surgery, the Bronx Bombers find themselves suddenly thin on the mound.
After landing Max Fried with a lucrative contract in December, the Yankees temporarily boasted seven viable rotation candidates, prompting them to ship Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers for All-Star reliever Devin Williams. That depth has rapidly disappeared, leaving the organization facing a critical question: Should they pursue rotation help via trade now, or trust their internal options?
Steven Matz emerges as potential Yankees target
A recent suggestion from Joel Sherman of the New York Post has sparked considerable debate among the Yankees faithful: St. Louis Cardinals southpaw Steven Matz.
“It’s a name that will probably make you gasp a little bit, but I wonder if Steven Matz would actually help (the Yankees) right now,” Sherman said on Tuesday. “The Cardinals have tried to trade him for like two years, maybe even longer than that. It seems like the day they signed him, they started trying to trade him, and they haven’t.”
The 33-year-old Matz has weathered an inconsistent career marked by injuries and performance fluctuations. His 2024 campaign proved particularly challenging, with just 12 appearances (seven starts) yielding a 5.08 ERA across 44 1/3 innings. However, Sherman emphasized one compelling aspect of Matz’s profile: his effectiveness when working from the bullpen.
“The one thing that Matz has done well for the last three years is when he’s been forced to the bullpen, he’s been a good lefty out of the bullpen. So, the day Gil comes back or the day you trade for someone else, Matz goes to the bullpen and you have some depth,” Sherman added.
In 39 1/3 career relief innings, Matz has maintained a 2.97 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP, substantially better than his 4.35 ERA over 888 1/3 innings as a starter. With the Yankees’ need for both rotation stability and bullpen reinforcement, Matz’s versatility might provide a temporary solution while they await Gil’s recovery or pursue more substantial trades later.
Examining trade feasibility
Matz remains under contract through 2025 with financial implications that would require careful consideration. A potential arrangement might see the Yankees parting with outfielder Trent Grisham who commands $5 million this season—along with prospect capital to complete a deal with St. Louis.
Proposed Trade
Yankees Receive:
- LHP Steven Matz
Cardinals Receive:
- OF Trent Grisham
- RHP Cam Schlittler (Yankees No. 12 prospect)
This exchange would give the Yankees a functional left-handed arm capable of starting or relieving. The Cardinals would acquire Grisham’s defensive versatility across outfield positions and a developing young pitcher, addressing their organizational needs.
Potential hesitations
Despite Matz’s bullpen success, his starting credentials remain questionable. His previous New York tenure—with the Mets from 2015 to 2020—concluded poorly when he recorded a catastrophic 9.68 ERA during the abbreviated 2020 season before being dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Furthermore, the Yankees likely won’t overspend for a stopgap solution when superior options may emerge closer to the July trade deadline. Pitchers like Dylan Cease (Padres) or Corbin Burnes (Orioles) could become prime targets should their teams fall out of contention.
Internal alternatives
Before exploring the trade market, the Yankees could look within their organization. Clarke Schmidt, Carlos Carrasco, and Will Warren represent in-house candidates to complete the rotation. If the Yankees believe Schmidt can elevate into a reliable mid-rotation arm, they might delay any trade action and reassess at midseason.
Moreover, top pitching prospect Chase Hampton—currently with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre—may be prepared for major league action in the near future, potentially reducing the urgency to acquire a veteran like Matz.
Is Matz Worth the gamble?
While Steven Matz might offer immediate relief, he doesn’t represent a long-term rotation solution for the Yankees. His history indicates he’s most effective in relief roles, which could prove useful temporarily, but acquiring him primarily as a rotation stabilizer carries significant risk.
If the Yankees can secure Matz without surrendering valuable assets and deploy him strategically until Luis Gil returns or better trade targets materialize, the move merits consideration. However, if acquisition costs prove excessive, New York would be wiser to await more impactful pitching reinforcements.
The trajectory of the 2025 Yankees season depends largely on their handling of these pitching challenges. Whether through a modest acquisition like Matz or an eventual headline-grabbing trade, Brian Cashman and the Yankees’ front office face crucial decisions. The timeline is clear—action will be necessary sooner rather than later.
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