The New York Yankees will be without ace Gerrit Cole for the entire 2025 season, and their replacement options on the open market are limited.

Given the fact that New York is already in the highest luxury tax threshold just above a $301 million payroll, it’s difficult to see the front office making a splash move after their constant comments about spending.

But this Yankees team, one fresh off a World Series appearance, is built to contend in what is a weaker American League path. Even with some serious injuries to Cole, Rookie of the Year Luis Gil and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the Bronx Bombers are still in it.

That’s why they’ve been urged by The New York Post’s Jon Heyman to put their hesitation aside in order to go after San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease in what would be a blockbuster trade.

“Cease is the most dominant pitcher who seems to live on the trade block, and easily the Yankees’ best hope to approximate out-for-the-year ace Gerrit Cole. And since the Padres are scouting the nine interested teams, this is the guy the Yankees need to focus on now,” Heyman wrote.

Of course, there are numerous obstacles facing the Yankees in this scenario. Their own self-imposed spending limitations are enough for Hal Steinbrenner to nix any potential trades if he doesn’t want to spend more than they already are. Cease is on the hook for $13.25 million, but the tax on his contract for the Yankees would push it to $29 million for 2025 — still a value for a top-end starter.

The other issue is that the Yankees simply may not have enough in a farm system that has been depleted by trades over the last few offseasons. They won’t part ways with Jasson Dominguez or George Lombard Jr., and the rest of the farm lacks trade appeal. Cease will also be a free agent after the season and is currently projected to land a $108 million deal, per Spotrac.

On paper, it seems like a logical move for the Yankees to pursue a replacement ace. Unfortunately for Yankees fans, it doesn’t appear a move like this is in the cards for New York.

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