Brian Cashman had the perfect view. Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, the sun out, the crowd electric—and Freddy Peralta on the mound for Milwaukee. For five innings, the Brewers’ right-hander attacked the strike zone with confidence, striking out eight Yankees and flashing the kind of stuff that doesn’t go unnoticed in the Bronx. Yes, New York pulled off a 4-2 win, but anyone paying attention saw something else: a potential fix to their biggest 2025 problem.

Because let’s be honest—this rotation has issues. Gerrit Cole’s absence looms like a shadow over the season. Without him, the Yankees’ staff has looked vulnerable, inconsistent, and flat-out thin. Carlos Rodón has yet to find rhythm, Marcus Stroman has been serviceable but erratic, and the rest of the rotation feels like a revolving door of uncertainty. Ten games in, the offense has done enough to cover the cracks, but those cracks are growing. And if the Yankees are serious about chasing a title, they can’t wait until July to plug a leaking ship.

That’s why Cameron Maybin didn’t waste time. After watching Freddie Peralta go toe-to-toe with the Yankees lineup on March 27, the former outfielder and current analyst took to Twitter and fired off a take that’s only gaining momentum: “I’ll say it on day one, the Yankees need to find a way to trade for Freddy Peralta before this season is over!”

It’s not just about adding another arm—it’s about adding the right one. Peralta isn’t a rental. At 28, he’s in his prime and under team control through 2026, all for a reasonable $15.5 million this year. In 2024, he racked up 200 strikeouts in 173 ⅔ innings with a 3.68 ERA. That’s ace production. And unlike some trade targets, he’s already proven he can handle pressure and big-stage baseball.

But the cost? That’s where things get tricky. According to Jon Conahan of Heavy Sports, talks would likely have to start with the Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones. On paper, Jones is a dream—6-foot-6, lefty power bat, and freakish athleticism. In reality? He’s back in Double-A after striking out in over 36% of his plate appearances last season, and he’s already racked up 16 Ks in just 32 spring at-bats this year. The tools are there, but the results aren’t.

So here’s the dilemma: Do you hold onto a prospect whose future is uncertain—or flip him for a pitcher who could anchor your rotation for multiple seasons? The Yankees are built to win now. Waiting for Jones to figure it out might cost them a shot at October glory.

Freddy Peralta may not be wearing pinstripes yet, but if Cashman is paying attention—and he absolutely is—that Opening Day outing might have already written the first chapter of a blockbuster move.

Yankees rotation woes without Cole

The Yankees built their pitching staff around the steady dominance of Gerrit Cole—and without him, the cracks are showing. Carlos Rodón, once expected to be a co-ace, is averaging just 94.1 mph on his four-seamer—down from 95.5 mph in 2022—and his command continues to waver, especially late in counts. Clarke Schmidt, despite adding a sweeper to his arsenal, has yet to prove he can consistently navigate lineups multiple times; opponents are still slugging over .450 against him the second time through. Luis Gil demonstrates velocity, with a fastball reaching 98 mph and an effective changeup; however, after undergoing Tommy John surgery, he is restricted by pitch limits and struggles with inconsistent mechanics. Even Marcus Stroman, who has previously maintained a solid ERA, finds himself ranking in the lower tier in terms of strikeout rate and heavily depends on managing contact.

The common thread? No one is consistently giving length, and the bullpen is already logging high-leverage innings far too often for April. Every start feels like a coin flip. One night, you get five strong, and the next night, you’re dipping into the bullpen by the third inning. That’s a dangerous game to play over a 162-game grind. The Yankees might have enough offense to stay afloat now, but once summer hits and the pressure builds, they’ll need more than patches and prayer. That’s where a trade—maybe even for Freddy Peralta—starts to look less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

In the end, the Yankees don’t have the luxury of time or depth to wait for Cole’s return. If they’re serious about contending, a bold move like trading for Freddy Peralta needs to be on the table now. Hope alone won’t win October. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know below.