NEW YORK — The Yankees finally made a move Tuesday. They traded for left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins. Many fans expected more. They wanted a bigger name. They wanted a star.
The Weathers acquisition appeared underwhelming at first glance. Four prospects for a pitcher who made just eight starts last season. But there is more to the story.
New reports suggest this deal is only the beginning. The Yankees are not done yet. Brian Cashman has bigger targets in his sights.
Report reveals Yankees still hunting for elite pitching
The Athletic delivered exciting news for Yankees fans Tuesday night. According to Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner, the Weathers trade will not halt the team’s pursuit of top-tier starters.
“Don’t expect acquiring Weathers to halt the Yankees’ search for a higher-level starting pitcher,” the insider duo claimed.
That sentence changes everything about how fans should view this offseason. The Yankees have not settled for depth. They remain in the market for an impact arm.
Peralta remains primary target for Yankees
Milwaukee Brewers star Freddy Peralta sits atop New York’s wish list. The two-time All-Star dominated in 2025. He posted a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings.
Multiple reports have linked the Yankees to Peralta throughout the winter. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, New York currently leads the race for his services.
The Brewers want a major league-ready pitcher in return. They do not want lottery tickets. They need someone who can contribute immediately in 2026.
“If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to trade All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta, they ideally will want the return to include a young, major-league-ready replacement,” Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported.
The Yankees have options to meet that demand. Pitching prospects Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez have both impressed. Luis Gil remains a potential trade chip despite winning Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Nationals pitcher and Cubs infielder also on radar
Peralta is not the only name to watch. SNY’s Anthony McCarron predicted the Yankees would swing trades with two other clubs before Opening Day.
“The Yankees have some intriguing prospect arms,” McCarron wrote. “But it’s unlikely they all bloom into big league stars. So Brian Cashman and his front office look to use a few to dive into the trade market and acquire lefty MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals and infielder Nico Hoerner from the Cubs.”
Gore earned All-Star honors last season. He posted a 4.17 ERA overall but shined in the first half with a 3.02 ERA through 19 starts. He remains under club control through 2027.
Hoerner would address the Yankees’ infield concerns. The two-time Gold Glove winner played shortstop before Dansby Swanson arrived in Chicago. He earned Silver Slugger finalist recognition at second base. He can handle either position.
“Gore provides high-end rotation depth and a talented arm that they could develop further,” McCarron noted. “Hoerner would provide up-the-middle versatility, some on-base skills, and speed.”
Twins starter Joe Ryan emerges as another option
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has also drawn interest from the Yankees. Trade rumors have followed him since last year’s deadline. A deal could still materialize.
Ryan finished 2025 with a 13-10 record and 3.42 ERA. He logged 171 innings across 30 starts. His 5.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks among the best in baseball.
The combination of Peralta, Gore, Ryan and Hoerner gives Cashman multiple avenues to upgrade the roster. The question is which direction he chooses.
Rotation depth remains critical for Yankees
The urgency behind these trade discussions stems from New York’s pitching situation. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will miss Opening Day while recovering from elbow surgeries. Clarke Schmidt could miss the entire 2026 season after Tommy John surgery last July.
Weathers provides some relief but cannot solve everything. The 26-year-old left-hander has battled injuries throughout his career. He made only eight starts for Miami last season.
Max Fried leads the current rotation. Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Luis Gil fill out the other spots. Adding Peralta or Gore would transform that group into one of baseball’s deepest staffs.
Weathers brings family connection to Bronx
The Weathers deal did come with a nice storyline. Ryan is the son of David Weathers, who pitched for the 1996 Yankees championship team.
“David Weathers pitched for the 1996 Yankees during a 19-year major league career,” YES Network’s Jack Curry noted. “Now Ryan, his son, joins him in pinstripes. The elder Weathers allowed one run in 11 innings in the ’96 postseason.”
The younger Weathers has shown flashes of big potential. He posted a 3.63 ERA in 16 starts during 2024. His fastball averaged 96.9 mph last season. His sweeper generates a 51% whiff rate.
But sentimentality only goes so far. The Yankees need wins. They need depth. They need impact additions.
The Weathers trade signals Cashman is ready to deal. Expect more moves in the coming days. The quiet offseason may finally be heating up.
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