Yankees Target Brad Keller and MacKenzie Gore for Rotation

The New York Yankees are once again at the center of the offseason pitching market. They’re weighing a pair of very different arms as they try to stabilize 2026 and set up a long-term run.

In Brad Keller, they see a versatile power reliever who can spot start. In MacKenzie Gore, they see a potential rotation cornerstone whose best years might still be ahead.

How Brian Cashman balances performance, cost, and competitive balance tax realities will shape not only the 2026 staff but the franchise’s pitching identity for years to come. That’s a lot to juggle, even for the Yankees.

Yankees’ 2026 Rotation Plan: Competing While Waiting on Aces

The Yankees’ interest in Keller and Gore comes down to a simple truth. Their 2026 pitching blueprint is being drawn around injured stars.

With multiple frontline arms working back from surgery, New York has to bridge a dangerous gap without losing its place among contenders. It’s a tricky spot, and there’s not much margin for error.

Injuries to Cole, Rodón, and Schmidt Drive the Search

New York’s rotation picture heading into 2026 is dominated by health concerns. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are both recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in 2025.

Carlos Rodón is working his way back from elbow surgery. All three are expected to miss the early portion of the 2026 season.

The organization’s internal projections are more optimistic down the stretch. By late 2026, the Yankees envision a rotation that could feature:

On paper, that’s a championship-caliber stable of arms. The early-season gap is real, and it’s why Keller and Gore are on the radar right now.

Brad Keller: High-Leverage Weapon With Starter Upside

Of the two targets, Brad Keller offers the most immediate plug-and-play relief help. He also brings the bonus of rotation flexibility once the staff stabilizes.

A Breakout Season in the Cubs’ Bullpen

Keller is coming off a standout year as a reliever with the Cubs. He delivered a 2.07 ERA and a robust 27.2% strikeout rate.

That level of swing-and-miss production, paired with the ability to work multiple innings, has made him one of the more intriguing arms on the market. The Yankees’ current concept is to deploy Keller primarily out of the bullpen during the first half of 2026.

As key starters return, Keller could either remain a high-leverage bullpen piece or transition into a hybrid role. That would give Aaron Boone some real tactical flexibility.

Contract Expectations and Value

Keller’s performance and versatility are expected to command a notable commitment. Early projections have him in line for a three-year deal worth around $36 million.

For a club with title aspirations, paying for reliable, late-inning quality and multi-inning coverage is a cost the Yankees appear ready to consider. A durable arm with proven bullpen success and starter experience is the type of depth that often separates October teams from the rest of the pack.

MacKenzie Gore: High-Ceiling Starter at a Bargain Price

While Keller would stabilize the staff in the short term, MacKenzie Gore represents something much rarer. He’s a potential long-term rotation building block who is still relatively affordable.

Gore’s 2025 Breakout—and Breakdown

For much of 2025, Gore looked every bit like a rising frontline starter for the Nationals. He opened the year with a sparkling 3.02 ERA and a dominant 30.5% strikeout rate.

He flashed the kind of stuff that can anchor a playoff rotation. Injuries derailed his second half, though, and he finished the season with a more pedestrian 4.17 ERA.

That split season is exactly why he’s so compelling—and risky. The upside is undeniable, but so is the health question.

Trade Cost and Salary Projection

Unlike Keller, Gore is not a free agent; the Yankees would have to pry him away from Washington. That means prospects—likely multiple—and the Yankees aren’t alone in their pursuit.

The Nationals reportedly have several teams expressing interest in Gore, which could drive up the acquisition cost. From a payroll standpoint, Gore is highly attractive.

His projected 2026 salary is just $4.7 million. That’s a relative bargain for a mid-rotation or better starter, especially compared to Keller’s anticipated multi-year, $36 million deal.

Cashman’s Balancing Act: Talent vs. Tax

General manager Brian Cashman enters this market with an unusual mandate from ownership: explore everything. Hal Steinbrenner hasn’t imposed a hard payroll cap for 2026, so the front office has the freedom to chase impact arms if the fit is right.

Competitive Balance Tax Still Looms Large

Freedom isn’t the same as ignoring cost. The Yankees are already hovering near the third tier of the competitive balance tax.

If they cross that threshold, they’ll face steeper financial penalties and maybe even some annoying limitations down the line.

That reality makes the contrast between Keller and Gore even sharper:

For the Yankees, the decision is a test of organizational philosophy as much as roster construction. Do they prioritize short-term, proven relief stability in Keller?

Or do they swing big on Gore as a controllable starter who could slot next to Cole and Fried in October rotations for years to come?