Aaron Judge demands urgent move as Yankees struggle to secure $56M star pitcher Sandy Alcantara

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 17, 2025, 20:22 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

The New York Yankees face a pitching crisis with Gerrit Cole out for the season. Captain Aaron Judge advocates acquiring Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcántara but obtaining him requires trading valuable young prospects. The team must decide quickly on this challenging choice.

Aaron Judge demands urgent move as Yankees struggle to secure $56M star pitcher Sandy Alcantara (Image Source: Judge-Alcantara/Instagram)

The New York Yankees are in trouble. Their best pitcher, Gerrit Cole, is out for the season with an injury, and the team’s rotation looks weak. Yankees captain Aaron Judge knows they need help fast. He has his eyes on Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, a player who could save their season. But getting him won’t be easy. The Yankees will have to make a tough decision soon.

Aaron Judge pushes for Sandy Alcantara after Gerrit Cole’s injury

Aaron Judge has made it clear—he wants the Yankees to go after Sandy Alcantara. The Miami Marlins’ pitcher was one of the best in 2022, throwing 228.2 innings with a 2.28 ERA. He is exactly the kind of strong and reliable pitcher the Yankees need right now.
But getting Alcantara won’t be simple. He is under contract with the Miami Marlins until 2028 and will make $17.3 million in both 2025 and 2026, with a $21 million option for 2027. That makes him an expensive and valuable player.

The Marlins won’t let him go without a big trade return. Reports suggest the Yankees would have to give up top young players like Jasson Domínguez, Anthony Volpe, or Austin Wells to even start trade discussions.
That’s a tough decision. The Yankees have spent years developing these young stars, and trading them away could hurt their future. But without a top pitcher, their current season could fall apart.

Can the Yankees fix their pitching problems?

The Yankees’ pitching is in a bad spot. Carlos Rodon, who had a 3.96 ERA in 2024, hasn’t been consistent. Clarke Schmidt had a solid 2.86 ERA in 2024, but he’s still young and unproven. Marcus Stroman pitched well last year but has had injury problems before. Without Gerrit Cole, the team doesn’t have a true ace.

Mets SP Clay Holmes + Can Yankees Survive Without Gerrit Cole? | The Show Ep. 140

The Yankees know they need help. Other options include pitchers like Dylan Cease or free agents like Jordan Montgomery and Lance Lynn. But none of them offer the same level of stability that Sandy Alcantara does. The Yankees have already missed out on several pitching targets this offseason. If they don’t make a move soon, they could be stuck with a weak rotation all year.
Now, the Yankees have a choice to make. Will they trade for the pitcher Aaron Judge wants, even if it means giving up top prospects? Or will they risk going into the season with an uncertain rotation? Time is running out, and the decision could define their season.
Also Read: Aaron Judge And Samantha Bracksieck’s Relationship Timeline: Exploring Couple’s High School Romance

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article