New York Yankees: 2018 starting rotation could be scary good
The New York Yankees still have work to do in 2017, but their outlook for 2018 looks even more promising.
When the New York Yankees arrived at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for Spring Training this season, there were more questions than answers for the young squad, especially with their starting pitching rotation. Those doubts have now been wiped away, with their starters hitting full-stride during the 2017 postseason so far, and will continue on into the 2018 season. Let’s take a look at what the 2018 Opening Day starting five (and beyond) could be for the Bronx Bombers, as speculated by Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
- Luis Severino
Games Pitched: 31 Wins: 14 Losses: 6 Innings Pitched: 193.1 BB: 51 SO: 230 WHIP: 1.04 ERA: 2.98 - Jordan Montgomery
Games Pitched: 31 Wins: 10 Losses: 9 Innings Pitched: 155.1 BB: 51 SO: 144 WHIP: 1.23 ERA: 3.88 - Sonny Gray
Games Pitched: 31 Wins: 10 Losses: 12 Innings Pitched: 162.1 BB: 57 SO: 153WHIP: 1.21ERA: 3.55 - Masahiro Tanaka
Games Pitched: 30 Wins: 13 Losses: 12 Innings Pitched: 178.1 BB: 41 SO: 198 WHIP: 1.24 ERA: 4.74 - CC Sabathia
Games Pitched: 27 Wins: 14 Losses: 5 Innings Pitched: 148.2 BB: 20 SO: 120 WHIP: 1.27 ERA: 3.69
Severino is projected for a top-five finish in the AL Cy Young voting, while Montgomery could finish the same in the AL Rookie of the Year category. The Yankees had strayed away from using Gray, but he got the nod for Game 4 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros, where he did struggle a bit. We do know what he’s capable of and Gray will be a big-time player next season, maybe even locking up one of the top three spots.
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Tanaka has returned to his top form, and if he maintains that in 2018, he could be one of the best fourth or fifth starters in all of Major League Baseball. He can opt out of the final three years of his contract, but with a guarantee of $67 million due to hit his bank account if he stays a Yankee, the odds are that he stays in pinstripes for (at least) three more seasons.
CC Sabathia is another who could fill the role of the fifth starter, middle reliever, or spot starter, which is always needed in case of injuries or fatigue. Plus, his experience and the fact he is approaching 300 wins could intrigue him to stay with a team that would rack up some more career victories for the southpaw.
If Sabathia re-signs and wins a spot in the New York Yankees’ top five, there is another who could emerge into the contingency type role. The Yankees also aspire to heavily pursue 23-year-old Japanese star Shohei Otani, who would provide even more depth – and a blazing fastball to go with it – for the already stout rotation. Here’s a look at Otani, a two-way star, if you’re not already familiar with him.
The New York Yankees have more options than spots for 2018, which is a great problem to have. One thing all of these hurlers have going for them is the fact that the Yankees batting order will provide them much run support, especially during the 81 games – and hopefully more – at the “new” Yankee Stadium.
Next: Cardinals 2017 Season Review
If I were the rest of the AL East, especially the Boston Red Sox, I would be terrified of that killer starting five for the Yankees and already be making some offseason moves to counter all of that, that’s for sure. If not, the New York Yankees could be at the top of the AL East the next several seasons and beyond, just like we’ve always grown accustomed to.