NEW YORK — The free agent market has not been kind to the Yankees. Tatsuya Imai signed elsewhere. Edward Cabrera went to the Cubs. Michael King never received an offer from the Bronx.
Three key starters will miss Opening Day due to injuries. Gerrit Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Carlos Rodon had elbow surgery in October. Clarke Schmidt may not return until the second half of the season.
That leaves Brian Cashman looking at the trade market. Two names keep surfacing in reports: Freddy Peralta and MacKenzie Gore. Each could address the Yankees’ pitching needs in different ways.
Freddy Peralta stands out as the top target
The Brewers ace had perhaps the best season of his career in 2025. Peralta went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, the seventh-best mark in baseball. He struck out 204 batters and posted a career-high 5.5 WAR.
The 29-year-old right-hander is entering the final year of a five-year, $15.5 million contract. He will make just $8 million in 2026. That salary makes him attractive for teams seeking elite pitching without a long-term commitment.
“The Yankees should be calling the Milwaukee Brewers and asking about Freddy Peralta if they haven’t done so already,” wrote Zach Pressnell of Newsweek. “Peralta is one of the best pitchers in baseball right now, and he’s found himself on the trade block because of his expiring contract.”
The Brewers have a history of trading their top starters before they hit free agency. Milwaukee would likely demand a starter like Will Warren plus prospects in return. Pressnell suggested the Yankees could package talented young arms to land the ace.
MacKenzie Gore offers upside and affordability
The Nationals left-hander was named to his first All-Star team in 2025. Gore led MLB in strikeouts early in the season and finished with 185 punchouts in 159.2 innings. His 4.17 ERA was uneven, but his stuff remains electric.
MacKenzie Gore posted a 3.02 ERA in 19 first-half starts before struggling down the stretch. He is just 26 years old and does not become a free agent until 2028. Two more years of team control make him a valuable asset for any contender.
“Trading for Gore would give the Yankees a pitcher that’s made at least 30 starts in consecutive seasons,” wrote Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report. “Gore could benefit from going to a contending organization that might help to unlock his ace potential on a more consistent basis.”
The Nationals have held discussions with multiple teams. Initial reports suggested a deal could happen within days. Washington’s president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has kept Gore on the roster into the new year, waiting for the market to develop.
JoJo Romero provides Yankees bullpen depth at lower cost
The Cardinals left-hander finished 2025 with a 2.07 ERA in 65 games. That was the best mark of his career. Romero, 29, has posted a 2.93 ERA over 156.2 innings since Opening Day 2023.
The Yankees finished 2025 with a combined 4.37 bullpen ERA, ranking 23rd in baseball. They lost Devin Williams and Luke Weaver in free agency. David Bednar is expected to close, but the bridge to him needs reinforcement.
Romero is in the final year of his contract with St. Louis. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Gazette, the Yankees are among the teams showing interest. The Mariners, Rays, Astros, Tigers, and Diamondbacks have also inquired.
The Cardinals themselves are seeking a veteran reliever. Romero may not be moved at all. But his affordability and effectiveness make him an intriguing fallback option if the Yankees cannot land a starter.
The rotation needs help regardless of who arrives
The projected Opening Day rotation features Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Ryan Yarbrough. Fried is the only proven frontline starter in the group. Schlittler, Gil, and Warren are all coming off career-high workloads.
Cole is not expected back until late May or early June. Rodon could return in late April or May. Schmidt may miss most or all of the season. The Yankees cannot rely on health alone to fix the rotation.
“Adding Peralta to the rotation would take a lot of pressure off pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, both of whom are recovering from major injuries,” Pressnell wrote.
The clock is ticking toward spring training
Pitchers and catchers report in roughly five weeks. The Yankees have made minimal moves this offseason. They re-signed Amed Rosario, Ryan Yarbrough, and Paul Blackburn. They added Paul DeJong on a minor league deal.
The focus remains on re-signing Cody Bellinger. That pursuit has dominated the winter. But the rotation needs attention too. Aaron Judge is 33 and entering the back end of his prime. The window to win is now.
Peralta, Gore, or Romero would each strengthen the pitching staff. The question is whether Cashman is willing to part with the prospects needed to get a deal done. Time will tell which route the Yankees choose.
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