The New York Yankees rotation came into the season without Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, but still find themselves in playoff contention entering MLB games today. However, following the Clarke Schmidt injury, starting pitching will be a big need at the MLB trade deadline.
Today, we’re highlighting Yankees trade targets who could help fill the void in the rotation now that Schmidt is headed for Tommy John surgery.
Sandy Alcantara, New York Yankees
It’s well known that Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara is among the Yankees’ trade targets. He’s also one of the likeliest starters to be moved this summer. The NL Cy Young Award winner in 2022, the 29-year-old righty is under team control through 2026 at a $17.3 million average annual value, and there’s a $21 million club option for 2027. While his ERA this season is concerning, his stuff is still very good. It’s also possible that Alcantara’s struggles post-Tommy John surgery could lower his trade value enough for New York to keep top prospect George Lombard Jr. out of a trade package.
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Luis Severino, Athletics
The Yankees are certainly very familiar with what Luis Severino can do. Across 727.1 career innings in New York, he registered a 3.79 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a 3.67 K/BB ratio. While the 31-year-old’s numbers this season are abysmal, 5.09 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, he does have a 3.04 ERA on the road, with opponents posting just a .219 batting average against him. The Athletics badly want to move on from him, which could open the door to the organization eating some of the remaining money on his three-year, $67 million contract.
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Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are making nearly everyone available this summer, including All-Star pitcher Mitch Keller. he holds a 3.64 ERA across 18 starts this season, with a 2.40 ERA and a 23-6 K-BB line in his last 30 innings pitched. While Keller doesn’t have much swing-and-miss stuff, the 29-year-old righty is under contract from 2026-2028 at an $18.577 million AAV. With Schmidt sidelined for most of next season, Clarke’s contract makes him a very intriguing option.
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Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals have a wealth of pitching, but they need to find some everyday players for their long-term lineup. New York has plenty of hitters among its top prospects, which could allow it to match up nicely for a Seth Lugo trade. He’s likely a half-season rental, presumably declining his $15 million player option for the 2026 season, but he would immediately fill a void in the Yankees rotation. Over the last two seasons, Lugo owns a 2.89 ERA with 264 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP in 301.2 innings pitched.
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Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen is already believed to be an offseason target for the Yankees, so they might as well try to get him now for an early negotiating window ahead of MLB free agency. Gallen, who turns 30 in August, is having a career-worst season with a 5.45 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. That said, his 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 542 innings from 2022 to 2024 suggest this could be a good buy-low opportunity for New York.
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