Yankees' Could've Traded Hard-Throwing Hurler If He Wasn't Injured

Did the Yankees make the right choice?

It sounds like the New York Yankees could have made a slightly different trade earlier this offseason.

New York traded Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez, and Drew Thorpe along with catcher Kyle Higashioka to the San Diego Padres in exchange for superstar slugger Juan Soto and Trent Grisham.

While this is the case, the deal could've looked different and fireballer Luis Gil could've been traded instead if he didn't miss most of the 2023 campaign, according to SNY's Andy Martino. 

"After deciding not to pay the prices on free agent relievers like Jordan Hicks -- who nearly signed with the Yankees before pursuing a starting opportunity in San Francisco -- Wandy Peralta and Keynan Middleton, the Yankees seem an arm short at the back end of the bullpen," Martino said. "Luis Gil, now fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, is an intriguing option. Word at camp is that the plan for Gil is to keep him stretched out as a starter while remaining open to trying him in a pen role (the same is true for prospect Clayton Beeter)...

"Gil’s injury might have carried a significant silver lining for the Yankees. Most evaluators rank him ahead of Jhony Brito and Randy Vazquez, two young pitchers who went to San Diego in the Juan Soto trade. Had Gil been healthier and more top-of-mind, the Yankees might have had to part with him instead"

The fact that New York was able to hold on to Gil should go a long way in helping the club. He was one of the club's top prospects at one point and even was ranked No. 5 in 2020. Hopefully, he can take a step forward in 2024 with New York.