Possible Gerrit Cole replacements that will have Yankees fans skipping ahead to 2026

If Gerrit Cole is to undergo Tommy John surgery, he will miss all of 2025 and part of 2026, which severely impacts the New York Yankees' World Series window. Cole is entering his age-34 season and won't be back on the mound until he is 35 (and possibly 36, depending on how his rehab goes).

So what are Brian Cashman and the front office to do? The answer is ... uh, we have no idea. Since there is no conceivable way to replace Cole within reason, the Yankees' climb back to the Fall Classic feels more and more like a longshot.

Remember, it's not just the loss of Cole. Giancarlo Stanton might miss the entire year. Luis Gil is expected to miss the next three months. Clarke Schmidt isn't healthy. Carlos Rodón isn't going to be what the Yankees need him to be. Marcus Stroman is the most expensive No. 6 starter in history. The only guarantee right now in terms of projectability is Max Fried. Everything else is up in the air.

With all of the uncertainty, do the Yankees sell assets they don't necessarily have to salvage 2025 as soon as possible? Do they wait it out until the trade deadline? Do they forge ahead with the current group, patch up their deficiencies as they go, and hope for a better situation in 2026?

It's safe to say most fans wouldn't accept anything other than "figure it out right now" with another year of Aaron Judge's prime on the line. But the upsetting reality is that not many potential trade targets out there would greatly change New York's current outlook of "likely Wild Card team that will flame out early."

Possible Gerrit Cole replacements that will have Yankees fans skipping ahead to 2026

Dylan Cease

The Padres are reportedly looking to keep their current group together amid all of the other departures they dealt with in addition to the ownership issues plaguing the organization. Plus, do the Yankees even have enough to offer here without gutting their farm?

Michael King

See above. The Yankees also just traded him last offseason. To now overpay for an asset they were willing to part with before the 2024 season just feels irresponsible.

Sandy Alcantara

It feels like Alcantara's been on the trade block for years. That's just life as a Marlin, isn't it? Though the former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star could give the Yankees the only formidable Cole replacement possible, he also just dealt with elbow issues and missed all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He's already back in action this spring, but his effectiveness in 2025 remains in question. Additionally, the Marlins aren't going to sell low here knowing how desperate the Yankees are, so good luck getting a recently-rehabbed ace for the price of your liking.

Erick Fedde

Erick Fedde would be an incredible Marcus Stroman replacement — not one for Cole. The fact he's being floated in trade rumors for New York suggests how bleak the pitching market is in regard to situations like these. Nobody would complain if the Yankees acquired Fedde, but such a move would barely change 2025's outlook.

Luis Castillo

The Mariners have reportedly been trying to get rid of Luis Castillo and the remainder of his contract, which, in a regular world, would be the perfect match for the behemoth Yankees to take on a bit of an inflated salary for a lesser trade return. But they don't do that anymore. They're trying to avoid the Steve Cohen Tax threshold of $301 million, and Castillo's $24 million salary for this upcoming season would blow them by that mark. And, much like above, Castillo would be a great Carlos Rodón replacement if we were looking to make a proper comparison.

Pablo López

The Yankees already tried to trade for Pablo López and failed, which essentially derailed their 2022 season. This time around, Lopez carries a $21.75 million salary and would put New York in the same precarious financial scenario as above. He'd be a very good No. 2 behind Fried after he's made 32 starts in each of the last three seasons, but that wouldn't exactly put the Yankees on a new, more appealing path to October.

Jacob deGrom

Imagine? The Texas Rangers would surely like a do-over here, as deGrom is set to make $40 million in 2025, $38 million in 2026 and $37 million in 2027. He's pitched in just nine games since signing that five-year, $185 million deal after the 2022 campaign. This would put the Yankees far beyond their comfort zone in regard to their payroll, and it'd give them another injury concern. deGrom has dealt with health issues most of his career. Not to mention, he's working his way back from Tommy John surgery, so 2025 will have its obstacles for the 36-year-old.