The New York Yankees have not made a major splash in free agency, but they remain in pursuit of Cody Bellinger. However, they could also use another starting pitcher.
The Yankees’ rotation is not in bad shape, but the group is dealing with some key injuries to start the season. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are all expected to miss time to start the year. The Yankees still have Max Fried, Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler and Ryan Yarbrough. However, knowing who they have coming back at some point, they may not be looking at aces on the market.
Brian Cashman has noted that the Yankees would like to add a starting pitcher to help get by in the early part of the season. During a livestream for Bleacher Report, MLB insider Jon Heyman noted that the Yankees could target Lucas Giolito.
“They’re not in bad shape in terms of starting pitching, but I can see them adding somebody,” Heyman said on Wednesday. “Maybe they’ll look at Giolito. That’s a name I’ve kind of heard potentially for the Yankees.”
Giolito signed a two-year, $38.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox before the 2024 season. He missed the 2024 season after undergoing elbow surgery, but returned last season. He had a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts and could be a solid addition for the Yankees.
He is a former All-Star and proved he can still be a valuable pitcher. His strikeout rate took a dive last season, but he still performed well. From 2019 through 2023, he struck out 28.3% of batters he faced. Last season, he struck out 19.7% of batters. The Red Sox have already added Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, so they do not need Giolito. He acknowledged that he likely will not be back in Boston during an appearance on “Baseball Isn’t Boring.”
If Giolito wants to make the Red Sox regret replacing him, the Yankees would be a great team to sign with. However, there is a chance they will not need him in the rotation when Cole and Rodón return.
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