Yankees projected starting rotation for 2026 season after Ryan Weathers trade

Matt Sullivan

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Yankees projected starting rotation for 2026 season after Ryan Weathers trade image

The New York Yankees' rotation for the 2026 season isn't at its full strength at the start of the year. But, even with a few stars, like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt potentially sitting out for part of the 2026 season, the rotation is in a good place.

Things got even better when they, according to Craig Mish of Sports Grid, traded four prospects to the Miami Marlins for starter Ryan Weathers.

The new lefty starter joins the rotation, making the Yankees' projected rotation for 2026 a strong one regardless of the injuries to Cole, Rodon, and Schmidt.

Yankees' projected starting rotation for 2026 is strong after Weathers' addition

1. Max Fried, LHP
2. Cam Schlittler, RHP
3. Will Warren, RHP
4. Ryan Weathers, LHP
5. Luis Gil, RHP

This projected rotation is likely what the Yankees begin the 2026 season with. There could be some change in the order, but this would allow the Yankees to break up their left-handers and right-handers, while putting Fried and Schlittler atop the rotation.

It's far from ideal, and isn't a World Series-caliber rotation. But, with the return of Cole and Rodon, along with Schmidt and the potential for other starters to emerge through Spring Training, the rotation is overall in a good spot.

Once Cole and Rodon return, the new-look rotation would be a whole lot better. Fried, Cole, and Schlittler would likely be the main trio, with Warren and Rodon rounding out the five-man rotation.

That would allow for Weathers, who's started at most 16 games in a season in his career, to take a back-seat as either a sixth man or potentially as a long reliever. The same could happen with Gil.

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Or, if the Yankees wanted to, thanks to the Weathers trade, once Rodon, Schmidt, and Cole are back, they could explore a trade or two with their depth starters this upcoming season.

Gil, Warren, or Schmidt might field decent trade interest, allowing the Yankees to upgrade at a position of need if one comes about during the regular season.

Weathers will help keep the Yankees' rotation afloat to begin the year as one of the back-end arms, but once the three injured starters come back, and assuming there aren't any other injuries, then Weathers will be incredible insurance for the rotation.

The Yankees' projected rotation looks a lot better now that Weathers is on the team, as the five-man rotation to begin the season won't be in as bad a place if none of the three injured starters can go by Opening Day.

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Contributing Writer