The former St. Louis hurler could be headed for the Bronx
The New York Yankees might soon sign a former beloved St. Louis Cardinals hurler after failing to find his next landing spot in the free-agent market this offseason.
It was announced on Monday that Yankees ace Gerrit Cole must undergo Tommy John surgery after the 2023 American League Cy Young recipient endured significant elbow pain in his throwing arm, which also happened during last year’s spring training.
To mitigate the effects of losing Cole in the rotation, the Yankees reported will happen the possibility of signing a former Cardinals veteran.
“Just as the Yankees continue to weigh market options for hitting help while Giancarlo Stanton is attempting to work his way back from elbow trouble, they will consider free agent possibilities such as veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson,” ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Monday shortly after Cole’s season-ending surgery plans were announced.
Gibson logged an 8-8 record with a 4.24 ERA, 151-to-68 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .251 batting average against and a 1.35 WHIP in 169 2/3 innings pitched for the Cardinals in 2024.
The one-time All-Star wouldn’t replace Cole at the front of the Yankees’ rotation but Gibson’s consistent production and ability to pitch a lot of innings — ranked 44th in the league last season among starters — would help stabilize the Yankees’ pitching staff.