Three rotation trade targets for Yankees if Alcantara isn’t the answer

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NEW YORK — With the 2025 MLB trade deadline less than two months away, the New York Yankees find themselves leading the AL East despite a battered rotation. Injuries to Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman have forced the front office to reconsider its pitching depth, and while the idea of acquiring Sandy Alcantara from Miami once headlined their wishlist, his troubling return from Tommy John surgery may have cooled that fire.

Alcantara’s name still holds value, but his 2-7 record with 8.47 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and -1.5 bWAR through 51 innings in 2025 makes him a high-risk investment, especially at $17.3 million per year through 2026 and a club option for 2027. Though his velocity is intact and his five-pitch mix remains unchanged, the results haven’t matched the mechanics. And until he shows consistent form, the Yankees would be wise to look elsewhere—or at least keep backup plans ready.

Here are three arms the Yankees could reasonably target instead to stabilize their rotation heading into the stretch run.

#1. Tyler Anderson — LHP, Los Angeles Angels

In 2025: 61.0 IP, 3.39 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 1.5 bWAR
Career: 1183.2 IP, 4.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Cost: $13M in 2025, free agent after season

If durability and consistency are what Brian Cashman is prioritizing, Tyler Anderson’s profile fits snugly into the Yankees’ plans. The veteran lefty has quietly carved out a reliable track record in recent years. Since the start of 2023, Anderson owns a 3.78 ERA across nearly 400 innings in Los Angeles.

Anderson was named an All-Star in two of the past three seasons and has made at least 27 starts in every full campaign since 2021. The Yankees—no strangers to dealing with pitcher injuries—could use a left-handed workhorse capable of logging quality innings without drama.

Although Anderson’s advanced metrics, such as xFIP (4.82), suggest he’s overdue for regression, he’s consistently outperformed those expectations. A pending free agent on a non-contending Angels team that remains a long shot for the postseason (+1800 odds via DraftKings), Anderson could be available without emptying the Yankees’ farm.

#2. Tomoyuki Sugano — RHP, Baltimore Orioles

In 2025: 64.0 IP, 3.23 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 1.2 bWAR
Career: First season in MLB after 11 highly successful years in Japan
Cost: $13M in 2025, free agent after season

It’s unusual for contenders to ship off productive starters in-season, especially within the division. But the Baltimore Orioles are in a unique position. While they’re not yet buried in the AL Wild Card standings, the organization’s long-term outlook suggests a reset may be coming. That could place Tomoyuki Sugano on the block.

At age 35, Sugano has exceeded expectations in his MLB debut season. Known more for finesse than firepower, he carries one of the league’s lowest walk rates. He routinely pitches into the seventh inning and utilizes a deep six-pitch repertoire with tactical command.

A rental arm with a manageable salary, Sugano presents a less risky option than Alcantara, and more upside than a replacement-level innings-eater. Whether Baltimore would deal him to a division rival remains a major question, but his value on the market cannot be ignored.

#3. Nick Martinez — RHP, Cincinnati Reds

In 2025: 64.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 1.3 bWAR
Career: 839 IP, 4.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Cost: $21.05 million this season on a qualifying offer, free agent after 2025

If the Yankees decide to aim lower on the cost spectrum—perhaps as insurance rather than a frontline fix—Nick Martinez makes for a shrewd addition.

Quietly putting together a strong season in Cincinnati, Martinez has posted a 3.43 ERA and has held opposing hitters to just 0.6 HR/9 despite pitching in the home-run haven that is Great American Ball Park. His ability to suppress power would translate well to Yankee Stadium, which ranks among the most homer-friendly parks in MLB.

Martinez doesn’t overwhelm with velocity or strikeouts, but his elite command and pitch mix—featuring six offerings each used between 10% and 22% of the time—make him unpredictable and effective. He also has playoff experience and wouldn’t block any of the Yankees’ young arms returning next season, like Gil or possibly even Jasson Domínguez as the team shifts toward balance.

After being re-established as a full-time starter by the Reds in late 2024, Martinez has embraced the role with quiet excellence. And for a team like the Yankees that may need two arms rather than just one, his low-cost rental status makes him one of the most logical targets.

What about Sandy?

Despite the Yankees’ long-standing interest in Alcantara, his 2025 campaign has been marred by underperformance. His velocity is up, and he’s throwing 100 pitches per start, but the execution just isn’t there. His strikeout rate has dropped to 7.1 K/9 and opponents are squaring him up far too often.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Marlins are still expected to wait until the final days of July before seriously engaging in Alcantara trade talks. That could buy the right-hander more time to improve—but it also forces teams like the Yankees to make a judgment call before others enter the bidding war.

Yankees’ race for arms before August

The Yankees are leading the AL East, but with uncertainty clouding the back half of their rotation, standing pat isn’t an option. Alcantara may yet return to form, but for now, the Yankees must explore multiple pitching paths. Tyler Anderson, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Nick Martinez represent three viable additions, each with unique strengths and costs.

Whether it’s durability, control, or home run suppression, each of these pitchers brings something the Yankees could use. As July 31 approaches, don’t be surprised if Brian Cashman chooses not just one—but two from the list.

The road to October doesn’t wait. Neither should the Yankees.

Who is the besr for the Yankees? What do you think?

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