There’s a feeling in the Bronx, that uneasy, restless tension when a season could go either way, could be great or could be a mess.
Right now, the Yankees are standing in that space, somewhere between confidence and crisis, with injuries, trades, and questions that don’t have clear answers all happening at once.
A month ago, things looked solid, and this team was built to win. The rotation was deep, and the infield had pieces that made sense.
Then, in the way that baseball often does, everything shifted—Gerrit Cole was gone for the year, Luis Gil was not available for months, and DJ LeMahieu was hurt again—and suddenly, this team that seemed so ready was scrambling.
- Yankees’ rotation takes a major hit with Gerrit Cole out for the season and Luis Gil sidelined until June, leaving the team scrambling for pitching solutions.
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. transitions to third base after being acquired from the Marlins, a move that could stabilize the Yankees’ infield if he adjusts well to the position.
- Trade discussions intensify as the Yankees explore options like Royce Lewis and Willi Castro for third base while considering Dylan Cease, Sandy Alcantara, and Michael King for pitching reinforcements.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and a Position He Never Asked For
A strange thing happened when the Yankees brought in Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins, as they handed him a position that wasn’t his.
Third base, a place he had never played, wasn’t that they doubted him, more that they believed his talent could adjust.
It was risky, sure, as Chisholm was an electric player, but third base is its own beast, with the footwork, reaction time, and instincts all different from second base, where he was used to moving.
But there was no choice because the Yankees needed him there, and if he could handle it, the infield would start to make sense again.
He didn’t back down from it or overthink it.
“It’s about putting in the work,” Chisholm said, “just another challenge.”
His bat was going to be valuable no matter what, but if he could figure out third base, it would mean even more, especially now with LeMahieu down.
The Yankees were one injury away from a real problem at that position, and they couldn’t afford another problem.
Gerrit Cole and the Rotation That Isn’t What It Should Be
Losing your ace is one thing, but losing him for an entire season, maybe longer, is something else entirely.
When Cole was diagnosed with an elbow issue that needed Tommy John surgery, it was a gut punch, indeed.
The team was built around its starting pitching, and now the whole foundation was cracked.
Luis Gil was already out with a lat strain until at least June, and JT Brubaker, another option, had broken ribs.
That left them with a rotation that still had talent but not the kind of depth a contending team wants:
Max Fried, their best option, is a legitimate ace but has had injuries of his own.
Carlos Rodón, when he’s on, is dangerous, but when he’s off, he’s a headache.
Marcus Stroman is reliable but not a No. 1 guy.
Clarke Schmidt is still a work in progress.
Will Warren wasn’t supposed to be in the rotation yet, but here we are.
This wasn’t supposed to be the rotation heading into Opening Day.
Now, the Yankees have to do something, and they have to do it fast.
Free Agents? Trades? What’s Actually Possible?
If this had happened two months ago, maybe there would have been decent free-agent options.
But now the market is picked clean.
Kyle Gibson is 37 years old and had a 4.24 ERA last season.
Lance Lynn, also 37, had an ERA under 4.00 but was inconsistent.
Marco Gonzales and Spencer Turnbull are out there, but they’re not fixing the Yankees’ problem.
That means a trade, and if they’re going to trade, they need to go big.
Dylan Cease, with 224 strikeouts last season, is someone the Padres might be open to moving, but he’s not cheap.
Sandy Alcantara, coming off Tommy John surgery, is another option if the Marlins are willing to deal, but if he’s healthy, he’s elite.
Michael King, a former Yankee, is now with the Padres and had a strong 2024 season with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts, but the Padres would need a good reason to move him.
Erick Fedde is not a household name but sneaky good, finishing with a 3.86 FIP and 5.6 WAR last season.
He’s only making $7.5 million, which could appeal to Yankees ownership.
Cashman knows what he has to do.
He doesn’t have the luxury of waiting since this team is built to win in 2025, and they can’t win without fixing the rotation.
Third Base is a Problem, and the Twins Might Have the Answer
Even if Jazz Chisholm Jr. figures out third base, it still feels like the Yankees aren’t totally comfortable there.
With LeMahieu’s health always a question mark, they need insurance.
And that’s exactly why they’re looking at the Minnesota Twins.
Royce Lewis is an interesting option, even though he had a down year at the plate last season, hitting .233 with 16 home runs.
His defense at third base remains excellent, and at 25 years old, there’s still a lot of upside.
The problem is that the Twins want a lot in return.
They’re reportedly asking for Oswald Peraza and pitching prospects, which isn’t a small price.
Willi Castro is the more affordable choice, finishing last season with a .247 average, 12 home runs, and the ability to play six different positions.
He’s a reliable, low-cost option at $4.5 million for 2025.
What’s clear is that the Yankees aren’t done making moves.
The third base is still up in the air, and the rotation still needs help.
They’ve already had an aggressive offseason, bringing in Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt.
But they’re not finished yet.
What Happens Now?
The Yankees are facing a lot of pressure, and the season hasn’t even started yet.
There are real problems and real questions, but also real opportunities.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is stepping into a position he never expected to play.
The rotation is hanging by a thread, and the front office is looking for an answer.
Trades are coming.
They have to be.
The Yankees don’t operate in half-measures, and they don’t sit back and watch things crumble.
Spring Training is winding down, and the first game of the season is on the horizon.
The Yankees still believe this is their year, but they have work to do before anyone else believes it too.
