The Yankees are eyeing two intriguing arms this offseason: right-hander Brad Keller and left-hander MacKenzie Gore, per reports from Joel Sherman of the New York Post and Andrew Golden of The Washington Post. Keller, coming off a standout season in a Cubs bullpen role, has drawn interest as a potential reliever who could also start if needed. Gore, a consistent starter over the past three years with the Nationals, represents a more straightforward upgrade to the rotation.
On the surface, the Yankee rotation looks stronger later in 2026 than at the season’s start, largely because several key pitchers are returning from surgeries. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt all faced injuries this year. Cole and Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgeries (Cole in March, Schmidt in July), while Rodón had elbow surgery in October to remove loose bodies. Recent updates from Bryan Hoch of MLB.com suggest a late-April to early-May return for Rodón, with Cole targeting May or June. Schmidt’s timeline remains uncertain due to his later procedure, likely pushing him to return later in the season.
If projections hold, by season’s end the rotation could include Cole, Rodón, Schmidt, Max Fried, Cam Schlitter, Luis Gil, and Will Warren. At the start of the year, Fried, Schlitter, Gil, and Warren would anchor the rotation, with Allan Winans and Ryan Yarbrough in the mix for the back end. Elmer Rodriguez could also factor in, though he has yet to debut in the majors.
Keller brings versatility, having pitched as both a starter and a reliever. Although the Yankees are primarily pursuing him as a reliever, he could start early in the year while other arms ramp up. If healthy arms return in force, Keller might transition back to a bullpen role.
Historically, Keller’s best years came with the Royals from 2018–2020, when he posted a solid 3.50 ERA while relying on grounders more than strikeouts. His performance dipped later, with a 5.14 ERA from 2021–2023, and he underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in October 2023. He returned in 2024 with uneven results but followed it with an excellent bullpen season in 2025, delivering 69 2/3 innings with a 2.07 ERA and a 56.1% ground-ball rate, accompanied by a notable jump in strikeouts to 27.2%.
Gore has pitched exclusively as a starter recently. In 2025, he flashed significant upside through the first half, posting a 3.02 ERA with a 30.5% strikeout rate and an 7.7% walk rate through the All-Star break. His second half was hampered by injuries, including shoulder inflammation and an ankle impingement, leading to a 6.75 ERA over those final starts and an overall 4.17 ERA for the season. The contrast between his high strikeout potential and the health concerns creates a debate about where he fits best in New York’s plans.
MLB Trade Rumors projects Keller could land about three years and $36 million on the open market, with some teams possibly viewing him as a mid-rotation starter. The Detroit Tigers had shown interest in that exact usage, though their recent signing of Drew Anderson could lessen that pursuit. Gore, by contrast, would be cheaper in year one (roughly $4.7 million projected for 2026, per Matt Swartz), but attracting him would require a significant prospect package to pry him from the Nationals, who have drawn interest from many teams.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman indicated there isn’t a fixed 2026 payroll limit, noting that owner Hal Steinbrenner encouraged exploring all options. Current payroll projections from RostERResource place the Yankees at about $260 million, which sits just under their 2025 spending and slightly below the competitive-balance tax threshold, potentially bringing a steeper tax when crossing tiers and affecting the 2027 draft position if the tax is exceeded.
Bottom line: Gore offers a clearer path to upgrading the rotation, while Keller provides valuable flexibility between the bullpen and the rotation. The decision will hinge on how aggressively the Yankees want to pursue a short-term upgrade versus a longer-term, cost-efficient rotation reshaping. With free agency still fluid, both players remain plausible fits, though Gore’s track record as a starter makes him the more straightforward option for immediate upgrading of the rotation. Which approach do you prefer: a budget-conscious, high-upside starter in Gore, or a flexible veteran who can both start and relieve in Keller? Share your thoughts in the comments.
