In the unpredictable world of Major League Baseball, trade rumors and deals are often met with intrigue, as teams look to bolster their rosters and set themselves up for success. In 2025, one of the most interesting potential trade scenarios could involve the Oakland Athletics (A’s) and the New York Yankees, two franchises with different needs but complementary strengths. Specifically, the A’s and Yankees could find a nice fit in a trade that would send a starting pitcher to the Bronx. For the A’s, this trade would represent a key opportunity to rebuild and acquire valuable assets, while for the Yankees, it could be a way to shore up their rotation for a playoff push.
In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into why a trade between the A’s and Yankees for a starting pitcher makes sense, the types of pitchers that could be involved, and how both teams could benefit from such a deal.
### The Context: A’s Rebuilding and Yankees in Need of Starting Pitching
#### Oakland A’s: Rebuilding Phase
The A’s have been in a rebuilding phase for several years now, undergoing significant roster changes and a complete overhaul of their infrastructure. After trading away some of their best players in recent years, Oakland is focusing on developing young talent and stockpiling prospects, with an eye on the future rather than immediate contention. The A’s currently have one of the least experienced rotations in the league, with a mix of young pitchers still finding their footing in the majors.
For Oakland, moving a veteran starting pitcher could be a smart decision. While the team has some promising arms, trading a dependable starter for prospects could accelerate their rebuilding process. With a thin roster and a lack of playoff contention in sight, the A’s could look to maximize the value of their veterans, especially if they can acquire young talent that will benefit them in the coming seasons.
#### New York Yankees: Seeking Rotation Help
On the other hand, the New York Yankees are a perennial contender in the American League, and they are currently navigating a window in which they are trying to make a run at the postseason. However, one of the Yankees’ primary weaknesses in recent years has been their starting pitching. Despite having a formidable bullpen and explosive hitters, the Yankees have struggled to find consistent and reliable starting pitchers behind Gerrit Cole.
In 2025, with the Yankees aiming for another deep playoff run, adding a starting pitcher could be their most critical move before the trade deadline. While Cole remains an ace, the rest of the rotation has been inconsistent, and with the team facing fierce competition from other AL contenders, bolstering their rotation would be a prudent move. The Yankees’ front office would likely be exploring trade options for a mid-rotation or back-end starter who can eat innings and provide stability, particularly if the pitcher has postseason experience or the ability to step up in big moments.
### The Trade Fit: What Could the Yankees Offer?
When thinking about a potential trade between the A’s and the Yankees for a starting pitcher, there are a few key factors that both teams would need to consider. For the Yankees, this would be a move to improve their playoff chances, and for the A’s, this would be a chance to gain value for their future. So, what could each side offer?
#### 1. **Veteran Pitchers the A’s Could Offer**
The A’s have a few veteran starters who could be of interest to the Yankees. One name that stands out is **Paul Blackburn**. Blackburn, a reliable innings-eater with experience in both starting and long-relief roles, has shown flashes of solid pitching over the past few seasons. While not an ace, Blackburn would be a dependable mid-to-back-end starter in the Yankees’ rotation, someone who could provide consistency behind Gerrit Cole. Blackburn’s ability to limit walks and keep the ball on the ground could be a valuable asset to the Yankees, especially in their pitcher-friendly home stadium, Yankee Stadium.
Another potential option is **James Kaprielian**. The 29-year-old right-hander has had a bumpy career with the A’s, but there’s no denying his talent. When he’s on, Kaprielian has shown the ability to strike out hitters and generate ground balls, though he’s struggled with consistency and health. His strikeout stuff and potential to be a solid mid-rotation arm could make him an intriguing option for a team like the Yankees, who could give him a fresh start and help him refine his approach.
Both Blackburn and Kaprielian are under team control for several seasons, which makes them appealing trade candidates for the A’s, who are looking to build for the future. If either pitcher could be developed further, he might become a key part of the A’s future success, so a trade involving either pitcher would make sense for both teams.
#### 2. **What the Yankees Could Offer in Return**
In terms of what the Yankees might be willing to give up, there are a few tradeable assets that could intrigue the A’s as they look to build for the future. The Yankees have a strong farm system, particularly in their lower levels, and they have several intriguing young prospects who could be part of a trade package for a starting pitcher.
One name to watch is **Clarke Schmidt**. The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher has had a few promising starts in the majors but has mostly been used in a bullpen or swingman role. Schmidt could be a good fit for the A’s, as he’s shown flashes of strong stuff, including a high-spin curveball and a mid-90s fastball. While he may not be a top-tier prospect, his experience and potential to develop into a starter make him a worthy trade candidate.
Another intriguing option for the A’s could be **Jasson Dominguez**, the Yankees’ highly touted outfield prospect. Though he’s primarily considered a future centerpiece for the Yankees, the A’s may see him as a potential building block for their future lineup. The Martian, as Dominguez is known, has great power, speed, and defensive potential, and his inclusion in a trade would certainly make waves. If the A’s are willing to part with a valuable starter, Dominguez might be the kind of young, high-ceiling player they’d want to target in return.
Other possible prospects could include pitchers like **Ken Waldichuk** or **Trey Sweeney**, both of whom are further down the Yankees’ farm system but have shown significant potential at their respective levels. A package of young talent, including a combination of pitchers and position players, could make sense for a trade where the Yankees acquire a reliable starter for their postseason push.
### How the Trade Could Benefit Both Teams
For the **A’s**, this trade would be a solid opportunity to capitalize on the value of one of their veteran starting pitchers while gaining young, high-upside talent that could accelerate their rebuild. As a franchise looking toward the future, it makes sense to part with a player who may not be part of their long-term plans in exchange for a bundle of young assets that could one day form the backbone of their team.
For the **Yankees**, the primary goal would be to acquire a dependable starting pitcher to round out their rotation. Adding a veteran like Blackburn or Kaprielian would provide much-needed depth, especially as the Yankees look to make a deep playoff run. Both pitchers could slot in behind Cole, providing stability and helping to mitigate some of the injury risks that have plagued the Yankees’ rotation in recent seasons. Additionally, adding a reliable arm for the postseason could give the Yankees an edge over their competition in a crowded AL playoff race.
### Conclusion: A Mutually Beneficial Trade
While any trade is inherently risky, the potential for a deal between the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees for a starting pitcher seems like a natural fit. The A’s are looking to rebuild, and trading one of their veteran starters for young talent makes sense for their long-term plans. For the Yankees, the need for rotation help is clear, and adding a dependable starter would increase their chances of making a deep postseason run.
Both teams have the pieces to make this trade work, with the A’s offering talented, underappreciated pitchers and the Yankees possessing a strong farm system with several assets that could fill the A’s needs. If both teams are motivated, this trade could have a positive impact on both franchises, setting the stage for future success in the years to come.