The New York Yankees may need to rethink their rotation depth sooner than expected. After Max Fried exited Wednesday's start with left elbow posterior soreness—completing only three innings—the team is now facing an uncertain timeline for their ace left-hander. Imaging is scheduled for today, and while Fried remains hopeful to make his next start, the reality points to a more cautious approach.

This isn't just a one-game concern. The Yankees' rotation, already built around high-upside arms with injury histories, could use a reliable mid-season reinforcement. FanSided's Chris Landers suggests the Bronx Bombers should act fast and explore the trade market for a veteran starter who can eat innings and stabilize the staff.

Landers' proposed target? San Francisco Giants right-hander Tyler Mahle. The 31-year-old currently carries a 5.18 ERA and 5.04 FIP—numbers that don't immediately inspire confidence. But context matters. Mahle would be a rental on a Giants team that appears headed for a lost season, making him an affordable and low-risk addition. More importantly, the Yankees' pitching coach Matt Blake has a track record of unlocking potential in veterans with solid underlying stuff.

"If you waved a magic wand and said that Fried, Cole, Rodon, Schlittler, Weathers, and Warren would be healthy come October, it would be hard not to feel excited," Landers wrote. "But almost every single one of those players comes with question marks about their durability over the next four-plus months."

The proposed deal would send outfield prospect Jace Avina to San Francisco—a manageable price for a team that needs depth, not a star. While other names like Reid Detmers (Angels) or Michael Lorenzen (Rockies) could also be in play, Mahle offers a clean fit: a veteran presence who can give the Yankees a chance to win every fifth day without breaking the bank or the farm system.

For Yankees fans watching the rotation closely, this is the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay off down the stretch. Sometimes the best trades aren't the flashiest—they're the ones that keep your team in the game when the unexpected happens.