Target Turnbull: Does veteran pitcher end Yankees’ rotation woes?

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With their starting staff already showing cracks mere weeks into the 2025 season, the New York Yankees need a quick fix before it is too late. Recent reports have linked the team to free agent Spencer Turnbull as a potential candidate to stabilize their wobbling rotation.

According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, Turnbull remains available despite his impressive showing with the Philadelphia Phillies last season. As injuries continue to thin New York’s pitching ranks, the Yankees have joined a growing list of suitors for the 32-year-old right-hander, with the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres also expressing interest.

“By this point, just about every team—either due to a litany of injuries or not doing enough in the offseason—could use a back-of-the-rotation starter who can semi-regularly go five innings without completely imploding,” Miller noted. “Yet there sits Spencer Turnbull, ripe for the picking, while fans all over the country (and in Canada) try to tell their teams to do something about that.

Yankees rotation faltering without Cole, Gil

The Yankees’ pitching plans unraveled before the season even gained momentum. Gerrit Cole, their undisputed ace, is sidelined for the entire year recovering from Tommy John surgery. The situation worsened when promising right-hander Luis Gil landed on the 60-day injured list with a severe lat strain, keeping him out of action until at least July.

These absences have forced manager Aaron Boone to lean heavily on depth options Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco, with discouraging results. Warren has struggled to a 6.00 ERA across two starts, while the 38-year-old Carrasco appears overmatched, surrendering 10 earned runs in his previous two outings.

Through their first 11 games, the Yankees haven’t recorded a single quality start, and their collective 5.40 ERA ranks 26th in baseball—underscoring their urgent need for reliable arms.

Turnbull offers upside and flexibility

While blockbuster trades remain unlikely this early in the calendar and free-agent options are scarce, Spencer Turnbull presents an intriguing possibility.

Turnbull quietly excelled for Philadelphia in 2024 in a versatile role. Deployed as a swingman, he appeared in 17 games—starting seven—while compiling an impressive 2.65 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 54.1 innings. Though a lat injury in late June curtailed his season, before that setback he demonstrated consistent effectiveness whether starting or relieving.

Miller’s analysis highlighted Turnbull’s solid underlying metrics:

“Among the 212 pitchers who logged at least 350 innings pitched from 2018–24, Turnbull’s 3.83 FIP ranks 65th—better than Jack Flaherty and slightly worse than Nathan Eovaldi.”

Such efficiency at a modest price point (he earned $2 million last season) makes him particularly attractive to the Yankees, who seem hesitant to sacrifice top prospects or significantly expand payroll before midseason.

From Detroit to Philly: A career defined by flashes, setbacks

The Detroit Tigers selected Turnbull in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, and he reached the majors in 2018. His raw talent and control made him a frequent breakout candidate during his Tigers tenure, but injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress.

Between 2018 and 2023, Turnbull compiled a 4.55 ERA across 61 appearances (60 starts) with Detroit. Tommy John’s surgery and shoulder issues limited his availability for multiple campaigns. 

It wasn’t until 2024, when the Philadelphia Phillies employed him in a carefully managed role, that Turnbull found his groove. His contributions across seven starts and ten relief appearances bolstered Philadelphia’s staff before his June injury.

Reports indicated Philadelphia had an interest in a reunion this spring, but negotiations stalled. Now healthy and unsigned, Turnbull represents a rare mid-season opportunity for pitching-needy contenders.

Could Turnbull replace Carrasco?

Carrasco’s tenure in pinstripes appears increasingly tenuous. He entered camp as a non-roster invitee, securing an Opening Day spot only because of the team’s thin pitching depth. Now sporting a troubling 7.71 ERA and diminished velocity, his role faces increasing scrutiny.

“It’s imperative that he commands all of it,” Boone said following Carrasco’s last outing. “He doesn’t have a lot of margin.”

The Yankees might designate Carrasco for assignment should they acquire Turnbull, particularly with Clarke Schmidt poised to return next week from his rehab assignment. Alternatively, Turnbull could initially serve in a bullpen capacity, providing long relief or backing short outings from Warren or Carlos Rodón, who continues battling command issues.

A calculated move with potential

Turnbull epitomizes the type of reclamation project general manager Brian Cashman typically pursues: reasonable cost, significant upside, and immediate utility. With the Yankees likely preserving resources for the July trade deadline, this signing could provide breathing room to evaluate longer-term needs without forcing premature action.

For Turnbull, New York offers an appealing destination. A short-term Bronx agreement would give him opportunities in meaningful situations, possibly reestablish him as a starter, and rebuild his market value before 2026 free agency.

The clock is ticking

As rotation struggles persist, the Yankees’ window for patience narrows. Schmidt’s imminent return helps, but one arm won’t resolve their depth crisis. Spencer Turnbull may lack headline-grabbing appeal, but he addresses the Yankees’ current needs: an affordable, experienced pitcher capable of providing quality innings and keeping games competitive.

Whether deployed as a spot starter or swingman, Turnbull might deliver exactly what the Bronx requires to stabilize their pitching—before early-season cracks evolve into season-derailing problems.

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