The 2025 MLB season has arrived for the New York Yankees, but things aren’t looking as optimistic as they did a few months ago. On paper, the Yankees seemed well-positioned to make a World Series run from the American League.
However, with injuries to key players like Gerrit Cole, it’s hard to envision the current rotation being enough to push the Yankees into championship contention.
That is, of course, unless the team makes a trade in the coming months. They have until the trade deadline to make a move, and there could be several pitchers available. One such player is Ranger Suarez from the Philadelphia Phillies. Though he is currently recovering from an injury, his absence isn’t expected to last long.
Christopher Kline of FanSided suggested a potential deal to bring the left-handed Suarez to New York, highlighting what he could bring to the Yankees’ rotation.
“Taijuan Walker had a solid spring and is expected to start while Suarez is sidelined. With Andrew Painter potentially joining the rotation, the Phillies might consider parting ways with Suarez before the trade deadline,” Kline explained.
“The Yankees’ rotation is in dire need of depth, especially with Cole out. They already made a significant investment in left-handed pitching with Max Fried, but adding Suarez could help stabilize the rotation. Philadelphia should listen if the Yankees offer the right prospects,” Kline added.
Will the Yankees Have Enough?
There are several concerns for the Yankees entering the season. If their rotation can’t deliver the necessary performance, the strength of their offense won’t matter much. As seen during last year’s World Series, pitching and defense are crucial at the highest level.
Some, including Joel Sherman of the New York Post, have begun questioning whether the Yankees’ rotation has enough depth, emphasizing the need for someone to step up despite the odds.
“The rotation is the biggest worry,” Sherman wrote. “While Cole missed 2 1/2 months last season, Luis Gil stepped up like an AL Cy Young winner. Now with Cole out for the season and Gil sidelined for months, the pressure falls on Fried, Opening Day starter Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman. So, we’re talking about a new guy, an unproven one, and a guy they were looking to trade all offseason.”
“Can the Yankees expect another surprise performance like Gil’s from Will Warren? And is Carlos Carrasco, who’s coming off a rough couple of years, going to suddenly turn things around?”
How Suarez Could Help
If the Yankees were to acquire Suarez, their rotation would be in a much better position. While he’s not at Cole’s level, Suarez is still an above-average pitcher.
His first half of the 2024 season was the best he’s ever pitched, although he did struggle a bit in the second half. He finished the season with a 3.46 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 150 2/3 innings.
Depending on what the Phillies ask for in return, Suarez could be a solid trade target for the Yankees.
