The New York Yankees are confronting a critical shortage of starting pitchers as the MLB trade deadline nears, intensifying their struggle in the AL East. This urgency has been compounded by Clarke Schmidt’s season-ending Tommy John surgery, which has left a significant gap in their rotation just as competition with division rivals escalates.

The loss of Schmidt, once considered a key component behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, has thrust the Yankees into a difficult spot trying to fill the void of a dependable No. 3 starter. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic emphasized the challenge, stating,

The Yankees’ need for a starting pitcher grew after they lost Clarke Schmidt to Tommy John surgery. It’s left them without a clear No. 3 in the rotation.

The team has attempted to compensate by relying on rookie Cam Schlittler, who showed promise but faces the daunting task of stepping up as a consistent performer despite his inexperience. This scenario has pushed the Yankees to actively seek established pitchers to strengthen their starting staff.

Zac Gallen Emerges as a Key Trade Target

Among possible acquisitions, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen stands out as a top candidate for the Yankees. Gallen, currently on a one-year contract worth $13.5 million, is expected to receive a lucrative multi-year deal as a free agent next season. As the Diamondbacks prepare to rebuild, they appear ready to trade valuable veterans like Gallen in exchange for younger assets. Bob Nightengale of USA Today revealed insights from a general manager who said,

I don’t see a world they don’t sell. They have so many holes, and so many free agents.

This has positioned Gallen as a practical and timely option for the Yankees to address their pitching shortfall.

The Diamondbacks’ willingness to trade Gallen invites multiple teams to pursue the pitcher, making the situation highly competitive. The Yankees will likely contend with other contenders, especially the Toronto Blue Jays, who are actively seeking starting rotation upgrades themselves.

Rivalry with Blue Jays Adds Pressure on Yankees

As the Yankees trail the Blue Jays by two games heading into the season’s second half, Toronto is aggressively aiming to reinforce their pitching staff. Nightengale also noted the Blue Jays’ commitment, writing,

GMs believe that the Toronto Blue Jays could be as aggressive as any team in baseball at the deadline, believing this could be their best chance to return to the World Series since 1993,

indicating their readiness to invest heavily to reclaim division dominance.

This rivalry heightens the stakes for New York, underscoring the importance of swift action to secure Gallen and enhance their playoff viability. Failure to do so could not only weaken their rotation but also widen the gap in the AL East race.

Yankees Manager Reflects on Team’s Challenges and Goals

Despite the adversity, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains cautiously hopeful for the team’s future. Addressing the ups and downs of the season’s first half, Boone admitted,

Incomplete. There’s obviously been a lot of good, there’s been two weeks where we really struggled,

before adding,

We set out in spring training and the start of the year to get back to the playoffs and go chase after a world title, and all those hopes and dreams are right there. … Long way to go still. We gotta keep getting better, but we’re in position to do what we need to do.

Boone’s remarks highlight the tension between the team’s aspirations and their current obstacles, with pitching reinforcements seen as critical to remaining competitive in a tightly contested AL East.

Pitching Reinforcements Could Define Yankees’ Season

The ability of the Yankees’ front office to secure a reliable starter like Zac Gallen in the coming days will be a defining factor in the team’s playoff hopes. The pitching crisis, intensified by Schmidt’s injury and a lack of clear rotation depth, leaves little margin for error during this crucial stretch.

As the trade deadline looms, how the Yankees address this shortage will shape their trajectory in an intense divisional race that features strong opponents like the Blue Jays, who are equally motivated to improve.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Why do they call Zac Gallen the milk man?

A. Baseball player Gallen is nicknamed ‘The Milkman’ because he consistently performs well. On Thursday, he contributed significantly to St. Mary’s Food Bank. He partnered with them to donate 2,300 gallons of milk from Shamrock Farms, a local business.