Although the New York Yankees have not done much in free agency besides bringing back familiar faces, manager Aaron Boone and the Yankees’ front office already believe this currently constructed roster is solid, and they have a point in thinking that, but Yankees fans appear to be growing frustrated with the lack of moves this offseason.
As it’s been reported, starters Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole are expected to start the year on the Injured List, which does highlight the Yankees’ need for a starter to open up the year and alleviate the pressure off of youngsters Cam Schlittler and Luis Gil. The good news for Yankees fans is that they are being predicted to land a formidable starter that will certainly help New York eat innings to open up the year.
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Yankees Predicted to Land Zack Littell in MLB Free Agency
As much as the Yankees are going to be linked to the high-profile free agent starters, they don’t necessarily need to break the bank for a $100 million+ arm when they have a trio of great starters in Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodon that should be together in the rotation sometime early in the summer.
A recent article by Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicts all 30 MLB teams’ Opening Day starting rotation for 2026, and the Yankees’ 5-man projection includes adding Zack Littell:
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – JULY 25: Zack Littell #52 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 25, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
“Zack Littell has ample experience pitching as both a starter and a reliever, and he could slot into the rotation to start the year before potentially shifting into a multi-inning relief role alongside Ryan Yarbrough.”
Littell pitched in 2025 for the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays. He was traded to the Rays at the trade deadline and became a free agent after the season ended.
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Should the Yankees Add Zack Littell?
As the BR writer Kelly indicates, Littell is a very experienced arm.
In 2025, he posted a 3.81 ERA over 186.2 innings with both the Reds and Rays. His numbers with the Reds were far better, which is encouraging given that Great American Ballpark isn’t all that pitcher-friendly.
Littell has been with five MLB organizations over his eight-year career, and has carved out a 3.88 ERA over 602.2 total innings and 79 starts.
According to BaseballReference.com, Littell is projected to post a 3.90 ERA over 166 innings next season.
Home runs have been a bit of an issue for Littell in recent memory (36 surrendered in 2025), but if he can keep the ball in the ballpark, Littell is unlikely to give hitters a free base, as he actually walked fewer batters (32) in 2025 than he gave up home runs.
It’s not the flashiest addition, but Littell also wouldn’t come with a steep price tag like other frontline free agent starters. According to Spotrac, Littell’s market value plays out to three years and $38 million.
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Yankees Predicted to Add Former Rays, Reds 3.81 ERA Starter in Free Agency