NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are exploring every avenue to fix their rotation woes before spring training begins. With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt all starting the season on the injured list, general manager Brian Cashman has made it clear he wants to add pitching depth.
Now a potential trade partner has emerged in the Kansas City Royals. And the deal could involve a familiar name heading out of the Bronx.
The Royals have publicly expressed their willingness to deal from their pitching depth. They need outfield help. The Yankees have surplus outfielders after re-signing Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract. The pieces could fit together nicely.
Why the Royals are willing to deal pitching
Kansas City president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo has been vocal about his team’s needs. The Royals ranked 26th in MLB in runs scored last season with 651. Their outfield has been among the least productive in the majors for years.
“Our starting pitching, we have some depth there,” Picollo told the Boston Globe in December. “A lot of teams are looking for starting pitching, so if we have what they may be interested in, and they have an outfielder that would be of interest, then there’s potentially the opportunity to make a deal.”
The Royals finished 2025 with one of the best rotations in baseball. They ranked sixth in ERA at 3.73. Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Noah Cameron and Kris Bubic all performed well. With Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek also in the mix, Kansas City has more arms than rotation spots.
The potential trade package taking shape
A deal between the two teams could center around left-hander Noah Cameron and reliever Steven Cruz going to the Yankees. In return, the Royals would receive outfielder Jasson Dominguez.
Cameron burst onto the scene in 2025. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut in late April and never looked back. He finished fourth on the Royals with 24 starts and posted a 2.99 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. He struck out 114 batters while walking just 43 across 138.1 innings.
The St. Joseph, Missouri native finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. His four-pitch mix includes a changeup, curveball, cutter and a fastball that touches 96 mph. Cameron is under team control through 2032. He is pre-arbitration eligible and signed for a minimal salary.
Cruz adds bullpen depth. The 6-foot-7 right-hander throws a fastball that regularly touches 98 mph and has reached 101. He posted a 3.74 ERA in 47 appearances in 2025 before a shoulder injury ended his season early. He is also under team control for several more years.
The Dominguez dilemma in the Bronx
Dominguez’s status with the Yankees has grown complicated. Once the undisputed future of the franchise outfield, “The Martian” now finds himself without a clear path to playing time.
The 22-year-old switch-hitter played 123 games in 2025. He slashed .257/.331/.388 with 10 home runs, 47 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Those numbers were league average at best. His 103 wRC+ suggests he was barely above replacement level offensively.
The bigger concern is his defense. Dominguez posted minus-10 Outs Above Average and minus-7 Defensive Runs Saved in 2025. His Statcast percentile rankings placed his range in the 2nd percentile of the entire league. The Yankees simply cannot hide him on a championship contending team.
With Bellinger back in the fold, Aaron Judge in right field and Trent Grisham returning in center, Dominguez has no clear path to everyday at-bats. Top prospect Spencer Jones is also pushing for playing time.
Contract control favors the Yankees in this deal
The contract math works in New York’s favor. Cameron is not eligible for arbitration until 2029. He cannot become a free agent until 2032. That gives the Yankees six full years of control over a proven MLB starter.
Cruz offers similar value. He is pre-arbitration eligible and under team control for multiple seasons. Both players are making league minimum or close to it. The Yankees would add rotation and bullpen depth without impacting their luxury tax situation.
Dominguez has five years of team control remaining. But his value has dropped significantly since his prospect days. The Yankees reportedly offered him in trade packages at the 2025 deadline, including to the Minnesota Twins for closer Jhoan Duran.
Why this trade makes sense for both teams
The Yankees desperately need pitching help right now. Cole is expected to return in May or June from Tommy John surgery. Rodon should be back in late April or May after his elbow cleanup procedure. Schmidt could miss most of 2026 following his own Tommy John surgery in July.
“I just think the more, the better,” Cashman said in December. “I would love to add a starter.”
Cameron would slot directly into the Yankees rotation. He could be the third or fourth starter behind Max Fried and Cam Schlittler. Cruz would provide high-leverage bullpen depth that the Yankees lost when Devin Williams and Luke Weaver signed with the Mets.
The Royals get a young, athletic outfielder with star potential. Dominguez’s speed and bat speed remain elite tools. He finished in the 85th percentile for hard-hit rate in 2025. At 22 years old, he has plenty of time to develop. Kansas City’s spacious outfield at Kauffman Stadium could be a better fit than the corners at Yankee Stadium.
The road ahead for the Yankees rotation
The trade market for starters has dried up quickly this winter. The Brewers sent Freddy Peralta to the Mets on January 21. The Nationals dealt MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers on January 23. The Cubs acquired Edward Cabrera from the Marlins. The Yankees were not close on any of those deals.
Tigers ace Tarik Skubal remains available but would cost “half our team,” according to Jon Heyman. Free agents Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen are still unsigned but come with qualifying offer compensation and salary cost attached.
The Royals offer an alternative path. Cameron is not a frontline ace. But he is a capable mid-rotation starter under team control for years. Cruz adds bullpen firepower. The price would be parting with Dominguez, a player who may never reach his sky-high potential in the Bronx.
Spring training opens in three weeks. The clock is ticking for Cashman to make a move. The Royals could be the answer the Yankees are searching for.
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