The New York Yankees have pulled off a lot of surprising moves since winning the American League pennant last fall, but that doesn’t mean the storied organization will be content with what it has.

After pulling off surprise trades and blockbuster signings to bring in Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt and Devin Williams, the Yankees find themselves once again leading the league with just a few months until the trade deadline.

Despite their roster additions, though, the Yankees still have a clear area of need as they look to get back into the Fall Classic. Since franchise ace Gerrit Cole elected to undergo Tommy John surgery, the starting rotation has looked less than championship quality outside of Fried and Carlos Rodon.

And as the Yankees look to fortify the pitching staff with an addition before the trade deadline, they might need to be thinking about more than just this season.

When Cole broke his silence with the media after undergoing his surgery, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch provided an update that the pitcher is targeting a 14-month recovery period, which would put him back on the mound in July 2026, assuming the 34-year-old doesn’t experience any setbacks. NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch pointed out that he might return with less velocity than ever, given the mileage on his arm.

In an early Yankees trade deadline prediction, Jomboy Media’s Joez McFly singled out Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals, who could help the Yankees bridge the gap without Cole this year and into the near future.

“The Yankees will trade for Sonny Gray,” McFly predicted.

After signing a three-year, $75 million contract in 2023, Gray is owed $25 million this season, $35 million in 2026 and has a $30 million club option for 2027. If the Yankees feel he’s worth the money and whatever assets they need to give up to get him, he could be the perfect fit for their timeline.

Gray is off to a 3.50 ERA start in his first eight games so far this season and has made at least 24 starts in each of the last four seasons. He’s been named an All-Star three times in his 13-year career.

He’s been the kind of dependable and effective starter the Yankees could cherish come playoff time for several years.