The 2025 season has been challenging for the New York Yankees, primarily due to injuries that have plagued the team. Currently holding a 58-49 record, the Yankees find themselves struggling to maintain a Wild Card position. The situation worsened when starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and required Tommy John surgery, further depleting the rotation.
Despite having a strong duo in Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, the Yankees’ pitching staff has become alarmingly thin. In light of these difficulties, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is advocating for a bold move through a potential trade. He suggests that the Yankees should consider trading top prospect Everson Pereira to acquire Chicago White Sox starter Adrian Houser.
Reuter notes that Houser, who has delivered an impressive 2.10 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 11 starts this season, could significantly bolster the Yankees’ rotation, especially in the wake of Schmidt’s injury. Playing on a one-year deal, Houser presents a valuable trading asset for the White Sox and could help fortify New York’s pitching lineup.
While some skepticism surrounds the idea of acquiring Houser, given that this year’s performance may be an anomaly for him, the Yankees must assess their options carefully. With superstar Aaron Judge also injured, the team’s recent record of 4-8 in their last 12 games has led to speculation that they might opt for a “soft buy” strategy.
Trading Pereira might be a strategic move, considering there are limited opportunities for him within the current roster. A potential playoff rotation featuring Fried, Rodon, a healthy Luis Gil, and Houser could indeed position the Yankees as formidable contenders come October. Pairing this revamped pitching staff with one of the league’s top offenses can breathe new life into their postseason aspirations, creating a scenario of hope for Yankees fans.
This proposed trade aligns with the Yankees’ long-term vision and their current need to improve without sacrificing too much of their future. By making calculated moves, the franchise can maintain its competitive edge while pursuing a solid playoff run.