The Yankees entered 2025 with a retooled roster and sky-high expectations. With star acquisitions and key returns, the Bronx Bombers hoped to launch a serious push for October. And to some extent, they are headed in the right direction. Their offense has found ways to produce, even in the absence of Juan Soto. But pitching? It’s not a happy picture.
Injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil have left a noticeable void in the rotation, and outside of Max Fried, consistency on the mound has been hard to come by. Hence, it’s a troubling trend for a team with championship aspirations. So, how can the New York Yankees fortify their pitching staff before it’s too late? One MLB insider may have an answer: trade veteran slugger Paul Goldschmidt.
“If a handful of things go in New York’s favor, though, flipping Goldschmidt for a starting pitcher could be on the table,” suggested insider Kerry Miller.
Yes, that’s the idea behind a bold prediction from Bleacher Report’s sportswriter. Goldschmidt might be a surprise trade candidate for the Yankees. But that’s surprising because of Goldschmidt’s performance lately. He is slashing at .349/.397/.481 over 34 games this year. So, he’s the one offering enough reliability at first base in the absence of Soto.
Well, that doesn’t guarantee him immunity from being traded.
The Yankees’ lineup is expected to undergo an overhaul in the next few days. Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return, and Ben Rice is doing well as the DH. In the twist of the tale, if Stanton returns to his usual DH position and Rice moves to first base, where will Goldschmidt play? So, it’s always better not to have extra names be benched in the slugging division, while the pitching squad is gasping for fresh air. For starters, Goldschmidt, 37, hit just .245 last season. He’s a former MVP with seven All-Star nominations, five Silver Sluggers, and four Gold Gloves to his name.
But at this stage of his career, it might make sense for the Yankees to trade him for a starter while his value’s still decent. Yes, it might prove costly for the club to let go of their veteran slugger, but the absence of the starting pitchers has made the situation worse.
Yankees’ struggling pitching lineup
The Yankees’ pitching staff is in a tough spot in 2025. The rotation has been nothing but devastating. Injuries to guys like Cole and Gil have significantly hurt, and the rest of the starters haven’t exactly been models of consistency. Names like Will Warren and Marcus Stroman have failed to meet expectations.
Warren has had a rough go so far. He has posted a 1–2 record with a 5.65 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 28.1 innings. A 5.65 ERA from the starting pitcher is not a good sign. The 25-year-old, though, has shown he can miss bats, which suggests there’s some potential for a turnaround. But so far, that stuff hasn’t translated into consistent results. A big part of the problem? His walk rate—he’s walking out 4.7 batters per nine innings, and that’s been a real issue.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren looks on during the baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Philadelphia. The Yankees won 7-6 in 12 innings. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
This contrasts with someone like Gil (3.50 ERA), who is also young but has shown better command lately. Even top prospect Chase Hampton, though still working through his development curve, has flashed better command in limited opportunities. So, if Warren can get the walks under control, there’s still time for him to carve out a bigger role. But the margin for error on this staff is shrinking fast. Stroman is another weak link for the Yankees this year. In 2025, he recorded an 11.57 ERA over 9⅓ innings, allowing 12 earned runs from his first three starts.
So, even with Goldschmidt putting up some good numbers, the Yankees might have no other option but to trade him for some pitching help
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