The New York Yankees have not yet signed a marquee free agent, but MLB insider Bobby Milone thinks that could change in the new year.
Milone linked the Yankees to veteran journeyman starting pitcher Zack Littell as a depth starting pitcher before spring training.
Littell, 30, is a free agent but split the 2025 season between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds. He went 10-8 with a 3.81 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 183 2/3 innings over 32 starts and started Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series for the Reds against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The right-hander has been both a starter and a reliever in his career but has made 75 starts over the past three seasons with the Rays and Reds.
Bobby Milone Links Zack Littell To The Yankees
The Yankees starting pitching is arguably their biggest strength, but there are reasons they would be interested in adding a starter before spring training starts in about six weeks.
Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are each expected to return from Tommy John surgery in 2026, but not until the second half of the regular season. Plus, 2025 co-ace Carlos Rodon is unlikely to be available for the first month after having his elbow cleaned up.
So that leaves New York with Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Luis Gil as its top-four starting pitchers, though a preseason injury could, of course, derail that.
That’s why Milone floated Littell potentially being a short-term fix for the Yankees on a one-year contract. The baseball writer floated that on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
“Littell has averaged a 3 WAR last 2 seasons, he throws innings but gives up tons of Homers,” Milone posted. “BUT limits walks. (1-year, $12 million) + option. [It] does seem he has ton of teams interested.”
To Milone’s point, Littell finished tied with Fried in WHIP (1.10) in 2025, since Littell only walked 32 in 2025. He actually surrendered more home runs (36) than walks last season, which could be problematic while pitching at Yankee Stadium.
Still, Littell has pitched in the American League East, for both the Rays and rival Boston Red Sox, and was a prospect in the Yankees’ system in 2017. Littell went 19-1 in 157 innings for Trenton, Tampa and Chattanooga — the Yankees traded him midseason to the Minnesota Twins.
Plus, Littell inspired enough confidence in Terry Francona to earn a start in a must-win game against the Dodgers. The Yankees could do worse than him, especially while they wait for Cole, Schmidt and Rodon to return.
Other Teams Are Also Interested In Zack Littell
There seems to be no shortage of competitors for free agents this offseason, which is a huge reason why the Yankees’ only offseason move was retaining Trent Grisham.
So there are rival clubs also interested in signing Littell, including the Rays. The Tampa Bay Times reported interest between the Rays and Littell earlier this month, and the Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals are also reportedly interested in the righty.
MLB Trade Rumors projected Littell would earn a two-year contract worth $24 million this offseason. That is an extremely affordable deal for most teams, especially given Littell’s prowess for taking the mound and not walking hitters.
Yankees Linked to Free Agent Pitcher Who Spent Time With Rays, Red Sox