With Aaron Judge continuing his MVP-caliber performance, the New York Yankees are expected to be aggressive buyers at this year’s trade deadline. Judge, now 33, remains dominant, but the team knows time is limited to maximize his prime. That urgency makes bolstering the rotation a priority.
The Yankees are in solid shape statistically — their starting rotation ranks 11th in MLB with a 3.73 ERA — but with Gerrit Cole out until 2026 and Luis Gil still unavailable, there’s real concern about whether the current staff can carry them through the postseason.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter highlighted the need for another top-tier starter and floated a trade idea involving the Philadelphia Phillies:
Proposed Trade:
- Yankees receive: LHP Ranger Suárez
- Phillies receive: OF Everson Pereira (Yankees’ No. 12 prospect), RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
The Phillies, deep in starting pitching — with the likes of Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Christopher Sánchez, Taijuan Walker, and eventually top prospect Andrew Painter — might be willing to part with Suárez.
Though Suárez has struggled in 2025 due to back soreness (posting a 5.91 ERA over 10.2 innings), his underlying numbers are strong (1.89 FIP), and he boasts a stellar postseason track record (1.43 ERA over nearly 38 playoff innings). He could be a key addition alongside Carlos Rodón and Max Fried for the Yankees, with Clarke Schmidt and Gil rounding out the rotation.
For the Phillies, the return would address immediate and future needs. Leiter Jr. (3.31 ERA, 1.94 FIP) could strengthen a shaky bullpen, especially with injuries to key relievers. Pereira, tearing it up in Triple-A with a .289 average and .948 OPS, would bring youth and power to an aging Phillies roster.
Suárez is under contract through next season, which does carry some risk for New York. But with a relatively soft AL field in 2025, the Yankees have a clear opportunity to chase a title — and Suárez might be the arm that pushes them over the top.
