Yankees named best trade fit for former Padres starting pitcher

Jared Bloom

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Yankees named best trade fit for former Padres starting pitcher image

The New York Yankees must do something about their starting rotation before the 2026 season gets underway. They will be without two of their frontline starters, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, to open up the season. 

Gerrit Cole will be recovering from the Tommy John surgery and likely will not be ready to go until late May or June. Rodon will still be recovering from the surgery he received to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his elbow. He is now expected to return by late April or early May. 

This leaves the Bronx Bombers without two frontline starters to kick off the new season. Expect them to sign a frontline starter either on the open market or acquire one through a trade. 

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Yankees named best trade fit for former Padres starting pitcher 

There are still quite a few frontline straters stil left on the open market, and the Yankees could turn their attention to them. However, Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly believes a trade for former San Diego Padres pitcher MacKenzie Gore would be a great addition for the club. 

"Trading for Gore would give the Yankees a pitcher that's made at least 30 starts in consecutive seasons... Gore could benefit from going to a contending organization that might help to unlock his ace potential on a more consistent basis."

Kelly believes shifting from the Washington Nationals to a contending team like the Yankees could seriously help Gore's game. He could learn from some of the best in the sport and would have Cole to look up to as a veteran presence. 

However, to make this happen, the Yankees would have to let go of some highly-anticipated prospects. Washington will not just trade Gore for nothing; they want someone who will help the team tremendously in the future. 

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