Max Fried injury could force Yankees to swing trade for $116 million All-Star

The New York Yankees’ starting rotation has been without Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole all season. An injury to Max Fried should shed light on how important adding another starter is.

Carlos Rodón and Fried have been great for the Yankees this season. However, after them, there is not much stability in the rotation. While Gil will return this year, Cole is out for the rest of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Fried, Rodón and Gil are a fine trio at the top of the rotation. However, Fried left his last start early with a blister.

Fried said it was too early to tell if his injury would play a role in his performance and availability down the line. However, the Yankees are looking at Rodón as the best arm in their rotation for the time being if Fried misses games. His injury should be a wake-up call to the team to add some insurance in the rotation.

The Yankees have Cam Schlittler, Marcus Stroman and Will Warren in the rotation. Stroman has actually been fine since his return, but Schlittler is a rookie and Warren is far from consistent. The Yankees would be in trouble in the postseason if they are without Gil, Rodón or Fried. FanSided’s Jake Elman suggested the Yankees trade for Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gallen is going to be a free agent after the season and is not having a great year. However, his track record indicates that it is more of an outlier than a new trend. He has a 5.40 ERA this year. However, in the last three seasons, he has a 3.12 ERA. He was an All-Star in 2022 and is projected to sign a six-year, $116 million deal in free agency, and the Diamondbacks may not want to pay him after paying Corbin Burnes last winter.

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The Diamondbacks are making him available in trade talks, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. A change of scenery could do him some good. At worst, he could be the Yankees’ No. 4 starter for the postseason. He would be a solid rental arm and insurance in case the Yankees suffer any more injuries in the starting rotation.

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