On Monday, March 10, the MLB world found out Gerrit Cole would be out for the 2025 season as he headed for Tommy John surgery. With Cole out for the season, the New York Yankees’ starting rotation will have major question marks.
Will New York find its solution internally or will they have to make a move externally to find his replacement? Cole and Luis Gil are two key pitchers in the rotation who are already out for the Yankees. For now, New York’s starting rotation will be Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren.
It may not stay that way for New York, but it may have to be the rotation for manager Aaron Boone to start the season.
Jim Bowden Suggests the Yankees Find Replacements for Gerrit Cole
MLB insider and former executive Jim Bowden of CBS Sports offered a few potential replacements for Cole for the 2025 season — Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins, Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres, and Kyle Gibson (currently a free agent). Alcántara’s name has been listed for quite some time and has been rumored to be traded from Miami but has yet to be dealt.
Bowden thinks that the Yankees are going to start the season with what they have on the roster, but he also expressed that general manager Brian Cashman could potentially make a move for one later in the season. It would be interesting to see where the Yankees are in the MLB standings at that point and how that affects their decision-making process.
CBS sports writer Dayn Perry also has Alcántara as a potential replacement for Cole. Perry said, “The Marlins, deep into yet another teardown, seem inclined to move Alcántara at some point. He’s coming off Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of 2024, but he’s looked dominant thus far in spring training.
“He’s also not far removed from a stellar 2022 campaign in which he put up a WAR of 8.0 in 228.2 innings and was the unanimous choice for NL Cy Young honors. Alcántara still hasn’t turned 30, and he’s not eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season. Assuming his recovery continues to go as hoped, he’s a true ace,” Perry said.
Alcántara pitched in 28 games last season for Miami in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season because of Tommy John surgery. In 2023 with the Marlins, he had a 7-12 record with a 4.14 ERA. In 184.2 innings pitched, he gave up 176 hits and 91 runs. Alcántara also walked 48 batters and struck out 151 batters.
The Marlins pitcher is 29 years old and should have a lot of suitors at the MLB trade deadline this year, including the Yankees. It will not be easy to replace Cole for the 2025 season.
SEE MORE: MLB Insider Reveals San Diego Padres’ Stance on Dylan Cease, Michael King Amid Ongoing Trade Buzz
Another pitcher who has been rumored to be traded this offseason is Cease from the Padres. It appears as if San Diego is going to be holding onto him for now. The Padres are a team that expects to make the playoffs this season. For now, New York may not make any moves to replace Cole, but they may be forced to make a move if the rotation does not perform well to start the season.