Yankees’ surprise targets: 3XCy Young on farewell year, recovering 2021 champ

As the 2025 MLB season looms on the horizon, the New York Yankees continue to focus on bolstering their pitching staff in an effort to remain competitive and deepen their roster. Recent reports have revealed that the Yankees’ scouts are keeping a close eye on two prominent free-agent pitchers: right-handed ace Max Scherzer and left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek. This move is a clear reflection of the Yankees’ commitment to fortifying their pitching rotation and bullpen, ensuring that their team remains a formidable contender for the upcoming season.

Max Scherzer: Veteran ace in his retiring years

Max Scherzer, one of the most accomplished pitchers of the modern era, has been a constant fixture of MLB’s elite pitching ranks for over a decade. The 40-year-old right-hander is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and continues to seek a place in a competitive rotation for his 18th season in the league. While his age is beginning to show signs of wear, Scherzer’s experience remains invaluable.

During the 2024 season, Scherzer made nine starts for the New York Mets, where he posted a respectable 3.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. In those 43.1 innings, Scherzer tallied 40 strikeouts, showcasing his typical swing-and-miss stuff, though his performance was not quite up to the standards of his prime years. Despite this slight dip in performance, Scherzer’s leadership qualities, immense postseason pedigree, and competitive drive remain unmatched.

Why the Yankees want Scherzer

The Yankees’ interest in Scherzer speaks volumes about their approach to filling their rotation with veterans who have a proven track record. Scherzer’s wealth of experience could provide significant value to the Yankees in multiple ways. His presence would bring stability to the rotation, especially during high-pressure moments when younger pitchers may need guidance. Furthermore, Scherzer’s extensive postseason history, which includes a dominant 2019 World Series win with the Washington Nationals, makes him an ideal mentor for the Yankees’ developing arms.

For a team like the Yankees, who are eyeing a championship run, the addition of Scherzer could be a game-changer. His durability and wealth of knowledge about pitching in the postseason would be a huge boost to an organization that often finds itself competing in late October. Scherzer has demonstrated a remarkable ability to perform when it counts, and the Yankees would be wise to leverage that experience.

Tyler Matzek: Left-handed bullpen option

In addition to Scherzer, the Yankees are also reportedly eyeing left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek as an integral addition to their bullpen. Matzek, who has spent the bulk of his career with the Atlanta Braves, comes with a solid reputation built on his high strikeout rate and ability to deliver in high-leverage situations. At 34 years old, Matzek may not be as seasoned as Scherzer, but his left-handed pitching offers a unique and essential skill set for the Yankees.

In his years with the Braves, Matzek was a vital piece of the bullpen, particularly in their 2021 World Series run. His ability to retire difficult left-handed hitters and come through in critical situations made him one of the more reliable arms in Atlanta’s bullpen. His fastball-slider combination has been particularly effective against left-handed batters, and with a lack of a true left-handed reliever in the Yankees’ current bullpen, Matzek’s acquisition would address this gap.

Matzek’s role with the Yankees

Acquiring Matzek would immediately enhance the Yankees’ bullpen, particularly by adding a reliable left-handed arm. Matzek’s experience in high-leverage moments—such as his crucial appearances in the 2021 postseason—would bring a sense of calm and confidence to the bullpen. With the Yankees’ current bullpen lacking a left-handed option, Matzek would help balance out the bullpen and give the New York team a trusted option for challenging tough left-handed batters. This would help take the pressure off other pitchers, giving the team an edge in key matchups throughout the season.

Matzek’s strikeout ability—coupled with his proven ability to handle postseason pressure—gives him the potential to be a strong late-inning reliever. His versatility and ability to shut down opposing offenses in tight games would be an asset to the Yankees, who are looking to keep their bullpen fresh and effective as they aim to contend for the title in 2025.

Strategic considerations for the Yankees

Adding Scherzer and Matzek to the Yankees’ roster would unquestionably strengthen the team’s pitching depth. However, these additions are not without their potential drawbacks. For Scherzer, the risks of age and injury must be considered. For Matzek, inconsistency and health concerns are the primary worries. The Yankees are a team built to contend now, and these veterans could help them achieve that goal—but only if they can stay healthy and productive.

The decision to pursue these two pitchers also reflects the Yankees’ broader strategy: a commitment to blending experience with youth. The Yankees’ pitching staff is already led by ace Gerrit Cole, and adding Scherzer would provide a veteran presence alongside Cole to lead the rotation. Meanwhile, Matzek would complement the bullpen by offering a left-handed option who can handle high-pressure situations.

However, the potential costs of both players—whether it be financial, health-related, or performance-based—cannot be ignored. Scherzer’s age and injury history could become a significant concern as the season progresses. Matzek’s inconsistency could also hurt the bullpen, especially if he is asked to fill high-leverage spots on a regular basis.

The Yankees’ path forward

The New York Yankees are at a critical juncture as they attempt to enhance their pitching staff in 2025. The pursuit of Max Scherzer and Tyler Matzek offers the potential for increased depth and experience, but it also brings with it a level of risk. For Scherzer, the primary concerns are his age and the potential for injury, while Matzek’s inconsistencies and health risks also add uncertainty.

As the offseason continues, the Yankees’ ability to balance the potential rewards with the risks associated with these two pitchers will be crucial. While adding Scherzer and Matzek would undoubtedly bolster the roster, it is essential that the Bombers carefully weigh the cost and benefits of these moves. If they can stay healthy and perform at a high level, Scherzer and Matzek could be the pieces that propel the Yankees to a World Series title. However, if they falter, the team may find themselves left with costly contracts and a weakened pitching staff.

For now, the Yankees’ pitching staff remains in a state of flux, with key decisions still to be made. Scherzer and Matzek could very well end up being the difference-makers the team needs to push them over the top in 2025. But as always in baseball, the risks must be carefully considered before making any final decisions. Only time will tell if these high-risk moves will pay off for the Yankees, or if they will be another chapter in the long history of offseason gambles that ultimately fail to deliver.

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