Yankees Rumors: MLB insider previews NYY's marquee trade deadline target

The trade deadline might be over three months away, but the frantic fans among us are already cooking up scenarios to try and make their teams better. For the most part, New York Yankees fans have kept a cool head, but they can't help but wonder who the team might add, given how obvious the problems are.

New York needs another starting pitcher, without a doubt. Bullpen help would be nice, too. Another third baseman might be necessary if they're serious about a deep playoff run. Otherwise, they just need their young bats to step up and they'll be in a good spot.

But they won't be able to recoup all they've lost on the pitching front due to injuries. They'll be trying to replace Gerrit Cole in some way, shape or form all year, and one name that has been frequently floated is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.

Are fans sold on it? Not necessarily. It's the lowest-hanging fruit, given Alcantara is an ace-caliber arm and the Yankees have done frequent business with the Marlins (and, oh yeah, Miami STINKS). Also, to think teams won't be lining up for the right-hander if he's made available would be foolish. And therein lies the problem.

The Yankees don't exactly have a ton to offer, especially if the bidding reaches an uncomfortable point. But if you ask Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees will be "doing everything possible" to acquire Alcantara come late July (18-minute mark, thanks to Dodgers Nation).

Yankees rumored trade deadline target Sandy Alcantara is going to cost a lot

Uh, but did you catch Nightengale say the trade package will look something like what the Padres gave up for Juan Soto in their trade with the Nationals? Is that serious? We know Alcantara is controlled through 2027 at about $19 million AAV, but that sounds incredibly steep for somebody who just underwent Tommy John surgery and is going to be 30 years old before the season ends.

Not to mention, the right-hander is off to a terrible start in 2025. He has a 6.56 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and just 17 strikeouts in five starts, totaling 23 1/3 innings. He's been worth -0.2 WAR, too. That will change, but it's clear he has some hurdles to clear as he works his way back after not pitching at all in 2024 (and dealing with some issues in 2023).

One thing's for certain: Brian Cashman will not be paying a king's ransom for Alcantara. For one, he doesn't have the assets, if that were to become the reality. Secondly, he just doesn't make those kinds of deals.

We'd advise not taking this too seriously and to start thinking about some more creative options that can help the Yankees' rotation. They won't be going for the obvious, blockbuster names and back themselves into a corner like that.