The New York Yankees’ Spring Training Nightmare: Injuries and Uncertainty

A Series of Unfortunate Events

The 2025 Spring Training for the New York Yankees has been nothing short of a disaster. What was supposed to be a time of preparation and renewal has turned into a season of injuries, sidelining some of the team’s most crucial players. The list of injured Yankees includes postseason hero Giancarlo Stanton, 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, third baseman D.J. LeMahieu, top pitching prospect Chase Hampton, and others. The injuries have left the team scrambling to find solutions before the regular season begins.

Gerrit Cole’s Season Ends Before It Begins

On Monday, the Yankees received their worst news yet. Gerrit Cole, the 2023 Cy Young Award winner, will undergo Tommy John surgery after experiencing "alarming" discomfort in his pitching elbow during a recent Spring Training game. The surgery will bring an abrupt end to Cole’s 2025 season before it even starts. This is a devastating blow to the Yankees, who were counting on Cole to lead their pitching staff. Cole was already limited to just 17 starts last season due to elbow issues, and now the team will have to navigate the entire season without their ace.

The Impact on the Yankees’ Playoff Hopes

The injury to Gerrit Cole is a significant setback for the Yankees’ hopes of repeating as American League champions and making another push for the franchise’s 28th World Series title. Cole’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the starting rotation, and the team’s chances of competing at the highest level have taken a hit. The Yankees’ General Manager, Brian Cashman, is now under pressure to find a solution to this crisis, either through a trade or by relying on the team’s existing depth.

Exploring Trade Options to Bolster the Rotation

With Gerrit Cole out for the season, the Yankees are exploring trade options to strengthen their starting rotation. Two names that have been mentioned as potential targets are Dylan Cease and Michael King, both of whom are currently members of the San Diego Padres’ rotation. Cease is known for his durability, having made at least 32 starts in each of the last four seasons, while King is a former Yankee who could provide some stability to the rotation. However, according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the Padres appear to be keeping their rotation intact for now, which could force the Yankees to look elsewhere.

A Potential Solution: Erick Fedde

Another name that has emerged as a potential trade target is Erick Fedde, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Fedde, who is entering the second year of a two-year, $15 million contract, could be an attractive option for the Yankees due to his affordability and the relatively low cost of acquiring him. Yankees beat reporter Chris Kirschner has suggested that the Yankees could acquire Fedde for "one top-10 prospect and either a reliever or a top-20 prospect." This would allow the team to keep its top prospects while still addressing the hole in the rotation.

Fedde’s Journey and Potential Fit with the Yankees

Erick Fedde’s career has been a rollercoaster ride. A first-round draft pick by the Washington Nationals in 2014, Fedde underwent Tommy John surgery before even making his professional debut. After breaking into the big leagues in 2017, Fedde struggled to find consistency with the Nationals, posting an ERA over 5.00 in three of his five seasons with the team. However, a stint in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2023 seemed to revitalize his career. Fedde went 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA in 30 starts for the NC Dinos, earning the KBO’s version of the Cy Young Award, the Choi Dong-won Award. Returning to the major leagues in 2024, Fedde had a career-best season, posting a 3.32 ERA in 31 starts between the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Kirschner notes that the Yankees’ pitching coaches could maximize Fedde’s arsenal even further, making him a promising addition to the rotation.

The Cardinals’ Motivation to Trade

The St. Louis Cardinals, who are in the midst of a roster rebuild focused on young talent, have been looking to shed salary. This could make Fedde, who is owed $7.5 million for the 2025 season, an attractive trade candidate. The Cardinals’ motivation to move Fedde could work in the Yankees’ favor, as it may allow them to acquire him at a reasonable cost. While it’s unclear whether Cashman will pull the trigger on a trade, Fedde represents a viable option for the Yankees as they look to patch up their starting rotation and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Road Ahead for the Yankees

The Yankees’ Spring Training injuries have undoubtedly thrown a wrench into their plans for the 2025 season. However, this is not the first time the team has faced adversity, and it won’t be the last. The loss of Gerrit Cole is a significant blow, but the Yankees have a long history of resilience and finding ways to compete even when the odds are against them. Whether it’s through a trade, internal options, or a combination of both, the Yankees will need to find a way to overcome these challenges if they hope to keep their championship aspirations alive. For now, all eyes will be on Brian Cashman to see how he navigates this crisis and whether he can find the right pieces to keep the Yankees in contention.