The New York Yankees have plenty of tough decisions to make this winter about their 2025 roster. One includes starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, who triggered his opt-out clause. If the Bombers let him leave, could fellow ace Corbin Burnes be his replacement? Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic discussed the situation on Saturday. The expected outcome is New York voiding the opt-out by adding one year and $36 million to his current deal. That would make the remainder of Cole’s time in the Bronx cost $180 million over the next five seasons, per Spotrac.

But if they don’t? Kirschner and Kuty mentioned replacing the 2023 American League Cy Young winner with another hurler who has won those honors recently. “Should the Yankees decide to let Cole go, they could explore other options, such as Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes, who is four years younger and also available as a free agent,” they said.

This move would fortify the Yankees’ staff and also make the offseason harder for Baltimore. Burnes has been one of baseball’s most productive pitchers in recent years. He’s been to four All-Star Games and has finished top 10 in Cy Young Award voting four times since 2020. Burnes won the NL Cy Young in 2021 for the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 181 strikeouts in 194 1/3 innings this past season for Baltimore.

This kind of production won’t be cheap. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer predicted on Aug. 1 that Burnes would land an eight-year, $288 million deal. Spotrac has estimated his market value at six years and $180 million. Considering the Yankees’ other needs — with re-signing outfielder Juan Soto at the top of their offseason to-do list — voiding Cole’s opt-out clause makes the most sense. They’ll be paying a premium as he enters his late 30s, which is risky. However, New York can use the money it’d save to try to also retain Soto or find a new solution for first base.