Yankees Urged by Controversial Cy Young Award Winner to Sign Him, Replace Gerrit Cole

The New York Yankees received terrible news on Monday regarding Gerrit Cole's injury. ESPN's Jeff Passan revealed that Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, ending his 2025 season. With Luis Gil also sidelined, the Yankees desperately need help in the starting rotation.

All marquee free-agent starters have been signed and a blockbuster trade would require significant prospect capital. However, former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer has made himself available for the Yankees.

"Need a Cy young starting pitcher for $0?" Bauer wrote on X replying to a post outlining Yankees injuries and depth.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees walks towards the dugout from the bullpen prior to a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner...

Bauer won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020. However, he has not pitched in the big leagues since 2021. Bauer has been trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He has pitched in international leagues around the world and remains active on social media while creating content on YouTube.

In 2024 he pitched for the Diablos Rojos in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. He had a 2.48 ERA, 120 strikeouts and was named Pitcher of the Year. He has signed to play in Nippon Professional Baseball next season with the DeNA Bay Stars.

Bauer has long noted that he is willing to pitch for the minimum salary, even saying he would pitch for free. However, his history could mean a singing would be met with backlash. Additionally, Bauer and Cole have had their own troubles in the past so signing him as Cole's replacement would be tricky.

Bauer has a 3.79 career ERA and 1416 strikeouts. Signing him may be controversial, but the Yankees do not have many options available.