With Gerrit Cole undergoing Tommy John, the Padres could be Yankees' trading savior

Could trade talks for the Padres revamp? Following the announcement of New York Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole going down for the 2025 season with Tommy John surgery, the Bronx Bombers could be on the prowl for another top-end starting pitcher.

Enter the San Diego Padres. All offseason, Friars fans constantly heard rumors about right-handed starters Dylan Cease and Michael King getting traded. That never came to fruition, but now, at the right price, perhaps San Diego can help the Yankees jump back to becoming postseason favorites in the American League.

There's been plenty of chatter surrounding Cease especially, and deservingly so. The 29-year-old has been one of the most dominant pitchers these last three seasons, which includes second and fourth-place finishes in the Cy Young Award race over this span. One major draw, which Yankees fans would love, is that Cease is a workhorse. Similar to Cole, Cease is consistent and reliable. Logging 32 or 33 starts in each of the last four years, Cease is a guarantee to throw 160-190 innings per season. Cole has registered 32 or more starts six times in his career, including twice in pinstripes.

King, also 29 years old, would be a favorable option for the Yankees. He began his career in the Bronx and posted a 3.38 ERA there from 2019-23. Since his departure from New York, King has become a full-time starter, so if you mix his proven success in a tough environment with his recent pivot to a starting role, Michael King feels like someone the Yankees would pursue.

Obviously, the Padres wouldn't give either of these arms away for nothing. The Friars may be interested in another outfielder to accompany Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., especially if Tirso Ornelas doesn't pan out. Spencer Jones, the Yankees' No. 3 prospect, could very well be a centerpiece to the trade. The 6-foot-6 23-year-old hit two home runs and two doubles this spring across 10 games before getting sent to minor league camp. He seems to be a year away from being ready to play in the majors full time, but he has superstar project-ability, considering his size and athleticism.

If San Diego is looking for some pitching in return, the Yankees are loaded with young arms in their farm system. Bryce Cunningham sticks out the most, who is a polished SEC pitcher, standing at 6-foot-5. He throws a tremendous changeup that mixes well with a fastball already reaching 97 MPH. Ben Hess, Henry LaLane, Brock Selvidge, and Cam Schlittler are all fellow imposing top prospects in the Yankees' system who could pique the Padres' interest.

Will a trade between the Padres and the Yankees actually happen? It feels logical, and even more so if San Diego is still looking to part ways with one of their starters. New York definitely needs one more pitcher, so it makes sense if the Padres are one of the first doors they knock on.