ESPN: Yankees acquire Toronto Blue Jays pitcher on a one-year, $15.5 million contract deal.
After sweeping the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, the New York Yankees have now won five straight games. The team has bounced back nicely from losing a number of players who helped it reach the Fall Classic the previous season as it attempts to make a comeback to the World Series. Juan Soto is now on the New York Mets, Gleyber Torres is on the Detroit Tigers and Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Giancarlo Stanton are all on the disabled list.
Remarkably, the Yankees may only be thinking about a few little additions to a comparatively full roster with a few weeks till the trade deadline. However, Jake Elman of Athlon Sports suggested that the Yankees negotiate for Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer, which would be an eye-catching move that the Bronx Bombers may execute. “The Yankees need another rotation arm, and Scherzer checks plenty of boxes,” Elman stated. “Considering his age and one-year, $15.5 million contract, he’ll probably be inexpensive. Despite Scherzer’s complete no-trade rule, it seems better to throw for a contender rather than remain with a team that is focused on 2026.
Scherzer is no longer the pitcher he was in his three-career Cy Young Award seasons and he’s presently battling to recover from a thumb injury. But, presuming he can take the mound and return to the respectable form he showed in 2023, the Yankees might employ him at the end of the rotation. The Yankees, who want to keep their best trade assets and avoid a big salary hike, would be especially interested in the notion.
“Unless the Yankees are truly desperate, they shouldn’t need to give up top prospects Spencer Jones or George Lombard Jr. here,” Elman continued. “Instead, Brian Cashman could potentially (theoretically) land Scherzer for a package built around 2024 fourth-round pick and ex-Miami Hurricanes pitcher Gage Ziehl.” The Yankees may be able to add the future Hall of Famer at a reasonably inexpensive cost if they believe Scherzer has enough left to help them fight for the playoffs.
