Yankees News: GM Brian Cashman shares honest take on replacement for Aaron Judge’s teammate

There’s a great deal of anticipation surrounding the New York Yankees as they prepare for the season opener with a revamped roster. Led by Aaron Judge, and with a game plan crafted by manager Aaron Boone, fans are eager to see how the team performs in the new MLB season. However, a recent setback has raised concerns, as Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman addressed.

The Yankees will be without ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, who is dealing with a potential season-ending injury. Cashman is now focused on finding a suitable replacement for one of the team’s key contributors. However, the GM highlighted a major challenge: the limited availability of talent that could fill the void.

“At this time of year, very little is available,” Cashman said, emphasizing the difficulty in finding immediate solutions, as we are nearing the season opener. “We’ll just evaluate what’s available.”

He further noted, “Normally, the more significant opportunities don’t exist until the Trade Deadline.” While this has left some Yankees fans worried about the team’s pitching depth, there’s still confidence in the rest of the roster to achieve the ultimate goal: securing a World Series title.

Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees looks on during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Yankee Stadium on April 05, 2023.

Cashman acknowledges Cole’s absence will be tough to overcome

When the Yankees chose not to re-sign Juan Soto, citing his hefty asking price, replacing his production became a priority. Now, with ace Gerrit Cole sidelined, Cashman admits that the team’s roster faces a more difficult challenge than expected.

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“We’ve had these conversations many times, and you hope you can withstand injuries, avoiding them early, from Spring Training all the way through the Draft. Going outside the organization is always a more complicated option. So, we’ll rely on what we have, and we’ll explore what limited options are available in the market,” Cashman said.

While Cashman’s statement doesn’t offer much hope to Yankees fans, many are pinning their hopes on key players like Aaron Judge and new addition Max Fried to help navigate the tough road ahead.

Finding a replacement for Cole won’t be easy

Cashman acknowledges the significant investments the Yankees have already made to bolster their roster for the upcoming season. However, with limited options on the market and hefty commitments for the 2025 MLB season, finding a suitable replacement for Cole won’t be simple.

“We’ve obviously got big commitments already,” Cashman explained. “The available inventory will be limited, and there are costs associated with those acquisitions, whether in terms of prospects or money.”