Yankees Trying To Trade For Young Ace But Blockbuster Deal May Be Unlikely

New York may have one more trade up its sleeve to help the rotation

The New York Yankees may have missed out on two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, but there are other options out there that could help the starting rotation.

New York's starting rotation has some serious question marks with Opening Day right around the corner. The Yankees' offense and bullpen seem to be in solid places, but the rotation is thin because ace Gerrit Cole will miss at least one or two months.

There was speculation that the Yankees would make an addition even before Cole went down and the club was linked to Snell and Dylan Cease among others. 

Another player the Yankees reportedly have been attempted to trade for is Miami Marlins young ace Jesús Luzardo, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"The Yankees haven’t been able to get any traction in trade talks for Marlins star Jesús Luzardo or others, and the starters who remain on the market are more depth pieces, led by 2023 All-Star Michael Lorenzen and Mike Clevinger," Heyman said.

Luzardo may not have as large of a name as someone like Snell, but he would be a significant upgrade for the Yankees' rotation. He had a 3.58 ERA and 208-to-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio last season with Miami and a 3.32 ERA and 120-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2022. 

The lefty is just 26 years old and is under team control until 2027. A trade certainly would cost the Yankees a heavy prospect price, but it could make a lot of sense. 

New York still needs to add to the rotation and a trade for Luzardo could be just what it needs.