Luis Gil’s recent struggles have cast doubt on his value among New York Yankees fans, especially after his performance faltered in the ALDS game against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he surrendered home runs to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk, contributing to a 10-1 defeat. Despite winning the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Award, Gil’s 2025 season was delayed until August 3 due to a lingering lat injury. Once he returned, his pitching control worsened, though he surprisingly maintained a 3.32 ERA compared to an expected 4.97, raising questions about his long-term fit in the Yankees rotation.
This uncertainty fueled speculation that Gil might not be suitable for a starting role or even retain a place with the Yankees. As trade rumors around Freddy Peralta intensified, with the Milwaukee Brewers seeking controllable starters, fans appeared ready to let Gil go. However, the Yankees’ recent trade for Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins challenges this prevailing underestimation of Gil’s worth.
Comparing the Cost of Acquiring Ryan Weathers to Luis Gil’s Value
To obtain left-hander Ryan Weathers, the Yankees traded four prospects, including outfielders Brendan Jones and Dillon Lewis, ranked 15th and 16th, respectively, in New York’s farm system by MLB Pipeline. Jones, often compared to Brett Gardner, offers a blend of late-career power and early-career speed, while Lewis is regarded as a promising five-tool talent. The deal also included Dylan Jasso (ranked 23rd) and Juan Matheus, considered more of a long-shot prospect. This substantial package underscores the significant cost of acquiring Weathers.
On paper, this trade appears heavily tilted against the Yankees, given Weathers is a 26-year-old lefty whose career has never exceeded 95 innings in a season and whose ERA stands at 4.93. While there is optimism about his potential breakout, his track record does not yet justify the high price in prospects surrendered.
Offseason Patterns Reflect the High Demand for Controllable Starting Pitchers
This trend is visible elsewhere in the league. The Baltimore Orioles gave up a substantial return for Shane Baz, who posted a 4.87 ERA during a healthy 2025 season. The Houston Astros parted with two top prospects for Mike Burrows, who has just under 100 major league innings. Likewise, the Chicago Cubs exchanged their number one overall prospect, Owen Caissie, and additional assets for Edward Cabrera, a pitcher still struggling with command and limited innings.
Against this backdrop, Luis Gil’s credentials stand out. He possesses more major league experience, playoff exposure, and a superior 3.50 career ERA compared to these others. If pitchers with ERAs around the mid-4.0s are commanding multiple top prospects, Gil’s status as a marginal or throw-in piece seems inconsistent with the broader market for controlled pitching arms.
Why Luis Gil Remains a Valuable Asset for the Yankees
The demand for controllable starters has elevated the value of pitchers like Gil, who offers potential and three years of team control. Despite recent performance concerns and injury setbacks, the ability to flip such a player for significant returns is clear. In fact, Gil’s value is at least equal to that of Ryan Weathers, if not higher, reflecting the premium placed on young, controllable starting pitchers across Major League Baseball.
With the Yankees having invested heavily to acquire Weathers, it may prompt a reevaluation of Gil’s role and potential within the franchise going forward. The trade highlights how perceptions can shift quickly and underscores the complexity of assessing player value beyond recent performances.
