The New York Yankees will need to address their starting rotation near the trade deadline if they want to repeat as American League champions.
Will Warren has struggled this year, Gerrit Cole is out for the season and Luis Gil has suffered a setback in his recovery. The Yankees will surely make calls around the league to try to add a starting pitcher. Newsweek’s Drew VonScio suggested they should trade for Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros.
“The southpaw is set to become a free agent at the end of the season,” wrote VonScio. “The Astros are currently in last place in the American League West, and he could be shipped off at the deadline if the Astros can’t work their way out of the bottom. If the Astros (and Warren’s) struggles continue, the Yankees shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger and make a deal.”
The Astros have seemingly made their decision on Valdez. The two sides did not engage in extension talks this offseason, and he expects to hit free agency. He has a 4.91 ERA this season, but his 3.34 career ERA gives reason to believe he will turn things around. He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in recent years.
He has finished top ten in American League Cy Young Award voting in the last three seasons. If the Yankees want to make another World Series run, they could use a player like Valdez.
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Valdez, Fried and Gil, whenever he returns, are a top three that could carry the Yankees through October.
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