The New York Yankees are set up to be buyers near the trade deadline, gearing up for a postseason push. They could be looking for starting pitchers.
The Yankees have been without Gerrit Cole all season after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Luis Gil has not pitched yet, but is working his way back. Max Fried, Ryan Yarbrough and Carlos Rodón have been good for the Yankees, but they could still use one arm to round things out. Empire Sports Media’s Ryan Garcia suggested the Yankees trade for Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“While not the frontline starter that he was during Arizona’s improbable run to the World Series in 2023, Merrill Kelly still is an effective starting pitcher who could take the ball in a postseason series,” wrote Garcia. “The right-hander has a 3.78 ERA and 3.56 FIP, striking out 22.9% of batters faced with a 47.4% GB%. His velocity has declined a little from his best years, but the arsenal could get better if the Yankees make some key adjustments.”
Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million extension with the Diamondbacks in 2023. His deal included a club option for this season that was exercised. He will be a free agent after the season, and the Arizona Diamondbacks could be sellers at the deadline.
They are currently in fourth place in the National League West, and an injury to Corbin Burnes has the potential to throw them further off course. Kelly could yield them some prospects to add to their system from a contender.
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Meanwhile, the Yankees would be getting a pitcher they can confidently roll out in the postseason. A rotation of Fried, Gil, Kelly, Rodón and Yarbrough is good enough to get the Yankees through October.
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